SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 03/03/19 1134064 Ducks sign Jakob Silfverberg to five-year extension worth 1134100 Corey Crawford comes out of his first two games back $5.25 million per season healthy and hopeful 1134065 Ducks’ scoring woes could lead to record-setting season, 1134101 Blackhawks' playoff hopes take a big hit with a 6-3 loss to and not in a good way the woeful Kings 1134066 Dreadful year aside, Jakob Silfverberg and John Gibson 1134102 Blackhawks' Corey Crawford gives up 6 goals, but feels are major parts of Ducks’ winning future good after 2 starts 1134103 Blackhawks stumble in 6-3 loss to Kings, dampening playoff hopes 1134067 5 things we learned from Arizona Coyotes' win over 1134104 Kings break 10-game skid off Blackhawks' shaky defense 1134105 Four takeaways: Blackhawks running out of time after 1134068 Five college hockey players the Arizona Coyotes could be deflating loss to Kings interested in signing out of college 1134106 How two former Blackhawks rediscovered their passion for 1134069 Coyotes assign Jason Demers to Tucson for conditioning hockey in Belfast 1134070 The Neutral Zone: Should the injury ravaged Coyotes have acquired another center? 1134107 Fighting belongs in the NHL, but let’s prevent the Bruins pummeling 1134071 Marcus Johansson appears to be a good fit with Bruins 1134108 The Avalanche’s Ryan Graves was a clumsy kid. Now 1134072 Here’s an angle for you: This Bruins win was a snoozer he’s playing in the NHL with boyhood buddy Nathan 1134073 Bruins continue hot stretch, shut down Devils MacKinnon 1134074 Blue Jackets loaded up for run 1134109 Ian Cole’s vision ‘still a work in progress’ upon his return 1134075 Bruins win by any means necessary from orbital bone injury 1134076 Bruins blank Devils, stretch points streak to 16 games 1134110 Avs-Sharks grades: No way, Jose 1134077 Bruins notebook: Brandon Carlo benefits from healthy 1134111 Five takeaways from Colorado’s continued struggle in San season Jose and 4-3 loss 1134078 Bruins still have things to accomplish in regular season 1134079 NHL Notebook: Winners and losers of the trade deadline Columbus Blue Jackets 1134080 Bruins pregame notes: Marching into a new month against 1134112 5 takeaways from 4-0 loss to Oilers New Jersey 1134113 Blue Jackets feel absence of injured defenseman Ryan 1134081 Peter Cehlarik hits bench for getting away from playing Murray 'the Bruins Way' 1134114 Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 0 | Jackets have no answer for 1134082 Bruce Cassidy on Ryan Donato's hot start with Minnesota Connor McDavid's line Wild: 'Sometimes it's about a better fit' 1134115 Shift from hell highlights growing concerns for Blue 1134083 's career stats entering B's-Devils couldn't Jackets in another home loss be more fitting 1134116 A moving experience: How the Blue Jackets 1134084 New Bruins winger Charlie Coyle believes 'things will open accommodated the needs of four new players after a wild up' for third line after slow start trade deadli 1134085 ‘Rest is a weapon’: How the Bruins will manage their starters’ time down the home stretch 1134117 John Klingberg's big night in St. Louis came with added motivation, and a heavy heart 1134086 'Simple' mistakes slow Sabres in another loss to the Maple 1134118 Stars notebook: Why rookie forward Joel L'Esperance Leafs shared a line with Benn, Spezza in just his sixth NHL 1134087 Amerks back in first place alone after win over Crunch game 1134088 The Wraparound: Maple Leafs 5, Sabres 2 1134119 Jamie Benn's first hat trick of the season pushes Stars to 1134089 Mike Harrington: They kept teasing us but this loss is the another important win over St. Louis end for the Sabres 1134120 Stars 20/20: Jamie Benn returns with first hat trick this 1134090 Sabres Notebook: Rasmus Dahlin maintained possession season to lead Stars past Blues before OT vs. Penguins 1134091 Sabres at Leafs: Five Things to Know Detroit Red Wings 1134092 Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings 1134121 Detroit Red Wings drop fifth straight, lose at Arizona Coyotes, 3-1 Flames 1134122 Game recap: Detroit Red Wings lose to Arizona Coyotes, 1134093 Flames Celebrity Poker Tournament raises more than 3-1 $365,000 1134123 Red Wings skid continues with loss to Coyotes 1134094 Flames lose to Wild on Iginla Night at Dome 1134124 Christopher Ilitch mum on possible Red Wings-Steve 1134095 Flames legend Iginla reflects as jersey is raised: ‘I won Yzerman reunion over and over again’ 1134125 Red Wings’ skid reaches seven after loss to Coyotes 1134096 Flames retire Iggy’s iconic No. 12 jersey at Saddledome 1134097 Iginla’s generosity knows no bounds 1134098 Elite skill set, grinder mindset: was the ‘last 1134126 Edmonton Oilers run wild on Blue Jackets of that breed’ 1134127 Game Day: Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets 1134099 Aho scores in OT, Hurricanes beat Panthers 4-3 1134128 Aho scores in OT, Hurricanes beat Panthers 4-3 1134166 Islander fans will puke watching John Tavares' stunning 1134129 Panthers fail to take advantage of opportunities, fall to Leafs ovation Hurricanes in overtime 1134167 Why Islanders can’t find regular spot for healthy Thomas 1134130 Preview: at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m., Hickey Sunday 1134168 Tavares and Harper events more proof ‘fan’ is short for 1134131 Welcome to the show, kid. Montembeault survives rocky ‘fanatic’ start in solid NHL debut for Panthers 1134169 The opportunity Islanders fans missed in John Tavares’ return 1134170 Islanders aren’t in rush for serious contract talks with 1134132 Kings and Blackhawks turn back the clock in 6-3 L.A. top-line star victory 1134171 Islanders hope to get homestand back on track vs. Flyers 1134133 Big Kurtis MacDermid trying to hone game for Kings 1134172 Islanders' Anthony Beauvillier still a work in progress after 1134134 Kings snap 10-game losing streak with win over Chicago 200 career NHL games 1134135 FINAL – 5, IOWA 4 (OT) 1134136 Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI 1134137 PREVIEW – ONTARIO VS. IOWA, 3/2 1134173 Brett Howden’s return leaves Rangers with lineup dilemma 1134138 GAME 65: LOS ANGELES VS CHICAGO 1134174 Rangers' Brendan Lemieux cares about wins, not points Ottawa Senators 1134139 Dubnyk makes 35 saves, Wild beat Flames 4-2 1134175 Senators fade away in Marc Crawford's debut as Senators 1134140 Wild outduels Flames, faces quick turnaround head coach 1134141 Wild-Calgary game recap 1134176 GAME DAY: Senators versus Panthers 1134142 Ryan Donato off to a hot start since joining the Wild in Charlie Coyle trade Flyers 1134143 Three-goal third period helps Wild beat Calgary and push 1134177 Surging Flyers have difficult challenges this week, starting winning streak to five games with surprising Islanders 1134144 Gameday preview: Nashville at Wild 1134178 Konecny, Couturier score 57 seconds apart to lead Flyers 1134145 Wild back in action vs. Flames without Zach Parise 1134179 Devils' Kurtis Gabriel receives 1-game suspension from 1134146 Wild rock West-leading Flames, run winning streak to five NHL for boarding 1134147 Wild’s Zach Parise still ailing, sits out game in Calgary 1134180 Travis Konecny defends Nolan Patrick, shows Flyers won't 1134148 Wild win the last round against Jarome Iginla to kick off a be picked on without Wayne Simmonds crazy back-to-back 1134181 Evaluating Devils prospects in loss to Flyers | Kevin 1134149 ‘I think about it every day’: Wild face Flames for first time Rooney strong again; Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian since Dumba injury driv 1134182 Flyers 6, Devils 3: 10 things we learned from a necessary Canadiens victory 1134150 Crosby, Guentzel have four points apiece to power Penguins past Canadiens 5-1 1134151 In the Habs' Room: 'You can't feel sorry for yourself,' 1134183 Penguins right ship with road rout of Canadiens Gallagher says 1134184 Newly acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson fills stat 1134152 About last night ... Penguins cruise to 5-1 win sheet in Penguins debut 1134153 Habs game report: Penguins suck air out of 1134185 Crosby takes control early, Penguins roast Montreal, 5-1 with three goals on four shots, win 5-1 1134186 Justin Schultz's return to Montreal after ugly injury just 1134154 Liveblog: Pittsburgh beats Canadiens 5-1 'another game' 1134155 Canadiens Game Day: Tough night for Carey Price in 5-1 1134187 Sidney Crosby’s MVP performance guides Penguins: ‘He loss to Pens was a monster’ 1134156 Canadiens vs. Penguins: Five things you should know 1134157 When Sidney Crosby stomps on your hopes and dreams in less than 30 seconds 1134188 Sharks could be without another Norris Trophy winner vs. 1134158 Melnick’s GBU: Back where his apparent demise began, Blackhawks Carey Price shows he is at the height of his powers 1134189 Marcus Sorensen keeps getting 'better and better' for Sharks with hard work 1134190 How Gustav Nyquist is integrating smoothly into Sharks 1134159 Jets' Adam Lowry suspended two games for hitting Preds' lineup so far Filip Forsberg in head with stick 1134191 Sharks give glimpse of playoff intensity in pivotal win over 1134160 Predators' PK Subban on a tough season: 'I never think Avalanche adversity is a bad thing' St Louis Blues 1134192 Blues notebook: Maroon back to top line vs. Stars 1134161 Mackenzie Blackwood shines but Devils fall 1-0 to Bruins 1134193 Home streaks end as Blues fall to Stars 1134162 Devils' Kurtis Gabriel suspended for boarding 1134194 Hochman: The Blues are a threat - the stats say so 1134163 Devils continue to stress 'process over results' in loss to 1134195 Back again: Sammy Blais returns to Blues for 6th time Flyers 1134164 Brad Marchand's 666th game fittingly comes in win versus Devils 1134165 Devils have no answer for Bruins or their scorching-hot goalie Jets 1134196 Lightning pregame: Tampa Bay set to face a ‘dangerous’ 1134218 Lowry to miss two games for hitting Forsberg with stick team 1134219 Reconciliation finds true home at True North 1134197 Lightning bounces back against Senators 1134220 JETS GAMEDAY: Five keys to Jets vs Blue Jackets 1134198 Humane Society hosts pet supply drive and adoption clinic 1134221 Time for Hellebuyck to shine: Jets goalie is most important at Thunder Alley player for final quarter 1134199 Lightning host ‘Give a Bear, Get a Bear’ event in 1134222 Lowry gets two games, Jets centre suspended for high- partnership with AdventHealth sticking 1134200 KanJam to be featured in Bolts Family Game Night

Toronto Maple Leafs SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1134201 Leafs shake defenceless feeling in bounce-back win over Sabres 1134202 Tavares and Leafs rebound with dominant win over Sabres 1134203 Leafs’ Kadri makes strides in concussion recovery 1134204 Fired-up Tavares and Leafs roll over Sabres 1134205 JOHN TAVARES DAY: Leafs fans and 's mayor show support for #91 1134206 The Leafs are betting on skill: Nic Petan might just need a chance 1134207 Leafs Report Cards – Game 65 at Buffalo 1134208 Q&A: Zach Hyman, the busiest Leaf, on his children’s books, his gaming company and 1134209 Tulloch: Why haven’t the Maple Leafs been ‘starting on time’ this season? Canucks 1134223 Patrick Johnston: Edler believes he and Canucks are improving, Boeser hopes for the same Vegas Golden Knights 1134210 Playing meaningful games in March sharpens Golden Knights’ focus 1134211 Golden Knights’ first line raises play after Mark Stone trade 1134212 NHL trade deadline sets up tight Western Conference race 1134213 Knights not golden for NHL bettors in second season 1134214 Alex Ovechkin will probably hit 50 goals this season. What about 60? 1134215 The Capitals were smart not to challenge Tom Kuhnhackl’s goal 1134216 Capitals can expect yet another physical battle in Manhattan on Sunday against the Rangers 1134217 Another milestone for Caps’ Ovechkin with historic goal No. 45 Websites 1134224 .ca / Flames give Jarome Iginla deserved, fitting retirement ceremony 1134225 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs, fans remind John Tavares why he chose Toronto 1134226 Sportsnet.ca / Loss to Penguins a game to file and forget for Canadiens 1134227 Sportsnet.ca / Hockey world praises Flames legend Jarome Iginla ahead of jersey retirement 1134228 Sportsnet.ca / Jarome Iginla's fire still burns bright even in retirement 1134229 Sportsnet.ca / Hitchcock on Oilers' mindset: 'We’re not going to be easy to play against' 1134230 Sportsnet.ca / Alex Edler hopeful of keeping place in Canucks' bright future 1134231 Sportsnet.ca / Coach's Corner: Maple Leafs' Zaitsev 'doesn't know how to play' 1134232 TSN.CA / Tavares gets happy homecoming as Leafs down Sabres in Toronto 1134233 TSN.CA / Long Island behind him, Tavares focused on Sabres 1134234 TSN.CA / Leafs look to bounce back after dismantling on Long Island 1134064 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks sign Jakob Silfverberg to five-year extension worth $5.25 million per season

By HELENE ELLIOTT

MAR 02, 2019 | 1:05 PM

The Ducks signed right wing Jakob Silfverberg to a five-year extension that has an average annual value of $5.25 million per season.

The new agreement, which was announced Saturday, will start next season and carry him through the 2023-24 season.

“He's the kind of player I like to have on the hockey team,” said general manager and interim coach Bob Murray. “He's a 200-foot player who doesn't cheat you in any respect. He's been very impressive with his leadership abilities. Very impressive. He doesn't like to lose. He doesn't accept losing.”

The 28-year-old Swede leads the Ducks this season with 16 goals. He also leads the team in shorthanded goals with two and ranks third in power-play goals with three. He ranks fifth in points with 24 in 56 games.

For his NHL career, he has 109 goals and 233 points in 475 games with Ottawa and the Ducks. The Ducks acquired him from the Senators in 2013.

Silfverberg represented his homeland at the 2014 Olympic Games, where he won a silver medal, the world championships (silver in 2011) and world junior championships (bronze in 2010).

LA Times: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134065 Anaheim Ducks

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.03.2019

Ducks’ scoring woes could lead to record-setting season, and not in a good way

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

PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 5:10 pm | UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 5:10 PM

ANAHEIM — No question, the Ducks’ play has improved since General Manager Bob Murray fired Randy Carlyle and assumed the coaching duties himself Feb. 10. They no longer look like a bunch of players who have joined up to smack the puck around on their lunch break.

There is a sense of purpose and cohesion in recent games that was sorely lacking during Carlyle’s final days as coach. Their passing is crisper, their movement more determined, their play on the attack more evident than during a skid that included losses in 19 of 21 games.

However, after an all-too-brief change in direction after the coaching change produced victories in three of four games, the Ducks’ results are pretty much the same. If anything, their numbers are worse and it could lead to some dubious franchise-records by season’s end April 5.

The Ducks have lost five in a row going into Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

With only 17 games remaining to be played, the Ducks are threatening their all-time records for the fewest goals in a full 82-game season, their fewest goals per game, their fewest power-play goals, their fewest power-play chances and their fewest victories, although that one isn’t likely to fall.

The Ducks have scored 139 goals in 65 games, the fewest in the NHL this season. Their record of 175, set in 2001-02, is in serious jeopardy. Their average of 2.14 goals per game also is the lowest in the league and could erase their record of 2.1, also set in 2001-02.

What’s more, the Ducks have only 25 power-play goals, threatening the team low of 37, set in 2014-15. They have only had 169 man-advantage chances, which is roughly on pace to break the previous low of 214, set last season.

The Ducks’ need two wins in the final month to avoid tying the franchise low of 25 victories, set in 2000-01.

When the Ducks were shut out Friday by the Vegas Golden Knights, it marked the eighth time they’ve been blanked this season and the fourth time in the past 11 games. They fired 34 shots on Marc-Andre Fleury’s net, but came up empty for the second time in three games.

“That’s the million-dollar question right now,” Ducks assistant coach Marty Wilford said when asked about the team’s coring woes. “We went to the net hard, put a lot of pucks to the net, and the second period was one of our best second periods of the year. For whatever reason, it just didn’t go in.

“They’re doing a lot of the right things. All you can do is continue to show them the positive things they’re doing. We’re taking care of our own end a lot better and we’re getting it out of our end a lot better. We’ll have to continue to show them the chances they had (Friday).”

Each of the Ducks’ 12 forwards had at least one on goal against Vegas, led by Daniel Sprong’s six. Derek Grant had four shots and Max Jones and Rickard Rakell had three each. Rakell and Corey Perry, who had two shots, looked dangerous all night.

They. Just. Couldn’t. Score.

“We’ve improved in that area,” Nick Ritchie said of generating sustained pressure and producing more scoring chances in recent games. “But they’re not going in. Some of that is bad luck, but it’s also bearing down and putting the puck in. A lot of teams are doing that and we’re not.

“It would be really bad if we weren’t getting (opportunities). There were some decent chances out there. We’re out-chancing a lot of teams, so the stats say. We’re just not scoring, and other teams are scoring timely goals against us.” 1134066 Anaheim Ducks Murray could have cut bait with Silfverberg now and seen what kind of quality assets he could have procured from another team — most likely a Stanley Cup contender looking to beef up its lineup for a hoped-for Dreadful year aside, Jakob Silfverberg and John Gibson are major parts lengthy playoff run. He knows his value might have been at a high of Ducks’ winning future now. But he also needs players who still have game who’ll set the example for those trying to break in and stick for good.

“You can’t just go with a bunch of 21-, 22-year-olds,” Murray said. “It’s By Eric Stephens just like building your minor-league team. You have a whole bunch of kids, but you got to have the quality veterans. It’s not different here. Silvy Mar 2, 2019 can play the game, but he’s a role model. He does all the right things guys, on and off the ice. He does all the right things.”

ANAHEIM, Calif. — There have been plenty of things that Bob Murray The right things. To Murray, it is having Max Jones and Troy Terry never planned on or even fathomed when the Ducks’ 2018-19 season around to see Silfverberg be one of the first players to hit the ice in the began before it careered off a Southern California canyon cliff. mornings and shoot pucks. Or hang around to shoot more when others have left the ice. The work in the gym that he puts in to maintain the Too many things, really. The list of dirty laundry is long. But let’s check sturdy frame that makes him exceedingly tough to knock off the puck. off a few baffling items: The commitment he makes to both ends of the rink.

Ryan Getzlaf with fewer than 40 points and Rickard Rakell scoring just “He’s the kind of player I like to have on a hockey team,” Murray said. nine times as the calendar turned to March. “He’s a 200-foot player. Doesn’t cheat you in any respect. Competes every night. I’ve been really impressed since I’ve been down — some of Corey Perry missing the first four months of action and Ryan Kesler the things I wanted to learn down behind the bench. He’s been very playing most of the schedule but also totaling eight points and going 38 impressive with his leadership abilities. Very impressive.” games without a goal. When Anaheim’s season went totally awry during the horrific 2-15-4 run, Just four players scoring in double figures and the team leader having Murray pointed to Silfverberg being a player who stepped up amid the only 16 with more than three-fourths of the schedule complete. nightly disappointments. “He doesn’t like to lose,” the GM said. “He Andrew Cogliano and Brandon Montour traded in season. doesn’t accept losing. That’s very concerning to me at this point in time with this hockey team. Silvy doesn’t accept it.” A total of 43 skaters and four goalies seeing action. The 47 in all being the most in club history. Silfverberg has found comfort in Anaheim. He has become a key player for the Ducks over his six seasons, the type of no-nonsense worker that The general manager firing his coach … and then tabbing himself as a every NHL team needs. With his wife, Clara, and their son, the shutdown replacement. forward has enjoyed the balance of having a social life in Orange County but also residing in solitude. Many players, current and retired, have When stability has been nearly impossible to find, it helps to have found that last part highly attractive. someone you can count on and know what you’ll get from them. The Ducks got John Gibson back between the pipes Friday night and can But another consideration was what he saw the Ducks being a year from have him as their main man in net for the next eight years. And they’ll now or two or three years from now. He has faith that this dreadful year is expect to have Jakob Silfverberg punching the clock for them well into a one-off. the foreseeable future. “I think I’d say that almost everyone plays in this league to win,” Those two are not the reasons why this has been a lost season for Silfverberg said. “That’s definitely the case for me, too. I enjoy winning Anaheim, which provided another example of that with a 3-0 loss to the and I hate losing. Definitely, I took a hard look at that. I definitely think Vegas Golden Knights. It is five consecutive losses for the Ducks and 25 this is a team within the next five years is going to be a contending team. defeats in their last 30 games. Their 24-32-9 record still sits safely in the position of fourth-worst in the NHL. “This organization has won not too long ago. They know what it takes. That was a big part of it, too.” But they got the usual from Gibson and Silfverberg. Their goalie made big saves early on and kept them hanging around the game with 31 stops The new contract is expected to be formalized and made as the in 33 shots faced. Their right wing gave them nearly 18 minutes of Ducks — and every other NHL team — received a 10 percent bump in consistent effort and persistence at both ends of the ice. financial flexibility March 1 to avoid tagging issues when it comes to committing more money to players next season than the current year’s “That’s what he does,” Perry said of Gibson, who starts earning $6.4 salary cap. But a verbal agreement was first reached Feb. 20. million annually next season. “He battles hard. Keeps us in the game and made some big saves.” And while there was debate over whether it was better to re-sign the winger or move him with the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaching, On the topic of Silfverberg, Nick Ritchie said: “He’s been great here for a Silfverberg didn’t appear to express a great deal of concern about his number of years now. He’s a unique player. He plays on the defensive future with the Ducks. That was another thing he liked about playing in side of the puck but also can score goals. It’s nice to have him around Anaheim — that he wasn’t asked about his contract status every single here. I’m sure they’re happy when they signed him. It’s an exciting time day. when he signed that deal for sure.” “You had some talks early but then it kind of stopped,” Silfverberg said. Those two will matter when it comes to trying to pull off a turnaround in “And then obviously with the deadline coming in, talks went back up. The 2019-20. New faces have already entered the Ducks lineup for the final talks went pretty quickly to a good sort of end to it without getting month of games, and more youngsters could populate their roster when finalized. We kind of knew where we’re at and we had a pretty good it’s time to fire things back up in October. But while teams full of kids can feeling that it was going to get to the point where it is today. provide excitement, they’re often unpredictable and have big swings of highs and lows. To win more often and more regularly, you need those “For a long time, there was not much going on really. Then once it started who have been around who can smooth out the bumps. picking up again fairly quick, it kind of led to where we are today. So that was nice.” Silfverberg’s five-year contract extension that will carry a $5.25 million average annual value has been viewed with caution. It could be justified. The Ducks also don’t have to worry about Gibson when it comes to He will be 29 in October. He is their goal-scoring leader, which you don’t monetary developments. They made their major commitment to him in expect, but the usual suspects that light the lamp often haven’t for the the first week of August, one that’s worth $51.2 million. Ducks. Maybe he’ll get to 20 — which would help his team avoid the And they’ve got to take care of him. Better care. The 25-year-old was embarrassment of not having a 20-goal scorer for the first time — but will playing at a Vezina Trophy level in the opening weeks of the season as his fine two-way play hold up at age 32 or 33? Or maybe he follows the he carried a team whose play was ragged at every inch of the ice. But lead of others on the roster with bulky extensions that no longer produce that play never improved from teammates who struggled to put passes in bulk. together much less score goals, and he progressively wilted under the strain of facing way too many shots, a lot of those being A-plus scoring Having two fixtures they know can be leaned on night to night is always a chances. positive.

His numbers have a subpar sheen — a 17-20-8 record and 2.91 goals- against average — but they don’t nearly tell the story. His .915 save percentage and the 34.2 shots he faces per 60-minute average more The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 accurately show the work he’s done to keep his team in games more often than not. Consider that his counterpart Friday night, Vegas’ Marc- Andre Fleury, has been the busiest netminder in terms of games and minutes played but faces 28.4 shots/60. (By the way, Fleury made 34 stops against the Ducks for his league-leading 31st win and seventh shutout).

Gibson actually had the most workload of any goalie until teammate Jaycob Megna plowed into him as he futilely tried to defend against Matt Duchene during a Feb. 7 game in Ottawa. It left him dealing with head and neck pain, but it also gave him a desperately needed respite from the nightly carnage. The Ducks were circling the drain at that time, no longer responding at all to Randy Carlyle during a shameful road trip when they were outscored 37-8.

“I tried to use it as a mental break, I think, more than anything,” Gibson said of his nine-game absence. “It’s obviously been a tough year. I mean, you hate to say it, but maybe in some sense it was nice to kind of have my mind off of it and off of everything that’s been going on.”

There was concern that he was dealing with concussion issues. That and the pain itself was alleviated when Dr. Bao-Thy Grant, the team’s oral surgeon, suggested to Murray that Gibson needed to have a wisdom tooth removed. Four wisdom teeth, in fact.

“I was trying to make it through the year but I guess for whatever reason, it got impacted,” Gibson said. “And then all my gums got infected. I don’t know if it was a fluke. I don’t really have an explanation. Fortunately we kind of got it out right away as soon as everything happened. Feeling good now and I’m excited to be back.”

It didn’t take long before he was tested Friday night. In the opening minutes, Gibson had to make saves on grade-A chances by Paul Stastny and William Karlsson. He made another robbery of Karlsson with a stellar right foot stop from in close, but the Golden Knights center — a one-time Ducks second-round pick who blew up for Vegas with 43 goals last season — got the last laugh when he scored into a wide-open net as Vegas’ pinpoint passing on a power play had the goalie and the Ducks kill totally befuddled.

Still, Gibson did enough to win a game on many nights. Alex Tuch got the other goal against him, a nice backhand put between the netminder’s legs after the Ducks botched a rush into the offensive end and then let Jonathan Marchessault hit Tuch with a length-of-the-ice stretch pass on the counterattack.

Cody Eakin finished off the Vegas win with an empty-net goal. The Ducks have given their goalies no such support on many nights. They were blanked for the eighth time overall. Seven of those have come within the last 28 games. They’ve scored one goal or none an astonishing 27 times.

But until frustration with the horrid defensive play appeared to set in and affect him during the darkness that was January and the start of February, Gibson did what he could to limit the damage. To wit, Gibson has a better save percentage than Fleury and his 31 wins, Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck and his 27 victories and Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky and his 27 triumphs.

“He’s been a rock back there all season,” Perry said. “The last couple of weeks, there was time away. He looked sharp tonight.”

Before the goalie got back into action, Murray said he thought Gibson looked refreshed and energized. “He was pretty beat down there for a while,” he said.

Gibson is going to play. There is no suggestion of shutting him down, even with the Ducks certain to wrap up their season April 5 and watch others in the playoffs. He has worked too hard to shed the label of being injury-prone or, more unfairly, brittle. He played in a career-high 60 games last season and could still hit that number again if he stays healthy the rest of the way.

“I want him to be strong the rest of the year,” Murray said. “We’re very cognizant of him getting run-down or whatever. I want him to be strong. I want everybody on this hockey team at the end of the year to leave having some sort of — no matter how crappy the year is — to leave with some sort of positive in their mind.” 1134067 Arizona Coyotes Fischer’s line was the Coyotes’ de-facto fourth line on Saturday and didn’t receive a ton of ice time, but the unit performed well when thrown onto the ice. Fischer especially looked to be quick on pucks and made 5 things we learned from Arizona Coyotes' win over Detroit Red Wings several noticeable positive plays in all three zones on Saturday.

Just as they will rely on some of their other under-performing forwards of late, the Coyotes will count on Fischer to add to his 11-goal total down Richard Morin and Jenna Ortiz, Arizona Republic the stretch as Arizona makes a late-season push for the playoffs.

Published 9:04 p.m. MT March 2, 2019 | Updated 9:53 p.m. MT March 2, 5. Demers sees game action 2019 Technically, this is not something we learned during the Coyotes' game but it did happen during the ' game on Saturday, so we’re allowing it. The Coyotes picked up a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday at Gila River Arena. Here are five things we learned after the Demers participated in his first game action since suffering a knee injury Coyotes put themselves into playoff position when the final horn sounded back in November. The Roadrunners played a road game against the in Glendale: Colorado Eagles on Saturday.

1. Richardson line keeps rolling It’s unclear just how many games Demers will play with the Roadrunners before returning to the NHL level, but the Coyotes want to make sure The line of Brad Richardson, Richard Panik and Vinnie Hinostroza Demers at least gets his legs under him. continued to dominate the ice on Saturday. Den’s digest After producing a combined 10 points on Thursday — led by Richardson’s four goals and three assists apiece for Panik and The score: Coyotes 3, Red Wings 1. Hinostroza — the line produced two more goals on Saturday and would have had another if not for an improbable glove save made by Jimmy The streak: W6. Howard in the first period. The record: 32-28-5, 4th in Pacific.

Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com The 82-game pace: 40-36-6, 86 points. today. The player: Vinnie Hinostroza. "It's all about getting that confidence when you come back from an injury,” Hinostroza, who had two points on Saturday, said. “Right now, I'm The moment: Hinostroza’s goal at 4:37 of the third period. feeling more confident with the puck and my linemates are playing great." The number: 14 — The combined number of points from Brad Entering play Saturday, the Richardson line had been on the ice for six Richardson, Richard Panik and Hinostroza in the last two games. goals and just three against this season. Managing a total of 96 shot attempts while together this season, the line has essentially controlled The quote: "We've got so many guys playing good hockey right now and play more than 55 percent of the time. making plays with the puck. Early on in the season we didn't have that." - - Coyotes Oliver Ekman-Larsson. With center Derek Stepan expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, head coach Rick Tocchet will count on Richardson’s line to be the best View from the press box: The game was a bit sloppy at times and the on the ice night in and night out. speed of the Red Wings caused the Coyotes some problems, but they were ultimately able to pull through and put themselves into a playoff 2. OEL has been quietly productive spot at the time of the final horn.

Most would identify Alex Galchenyuk, Josh Archibald or Richardson as Song of the night: “Keep This Up” by The Story So Far. some of the most-productive Coyotes skaters recently, but captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been quietly posting his name on a myriad of scoresheets of late. Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.03.2019 With a goal on Saturday, Ekman-Larsson now has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last five games during the Coyotes’ current six- game win streak. The captain gave everyone a scare when he left the ice with an injury in the second period, but Ekman-Larsson returned before the end of the period.

"It was a dumb play by me,” Ekman-Larsson said. “I kind of stuck my leg out a little bit and got caught with their guy. I got scared for a second but it's all good."

Ekman-Larsson would never admit it during a playoff run, but there are rumors the first-year captain has been playing through a nagging injury for the last month or so. Either way, Ekman-Larsson has remained effective and represents a stabilizing force on a Coyotes team that has been ravaged by injuries this season.

3. Archibald’s hot hand

The second half of the season has been kind to Josh Archibald. Representing one of the many players stepping up for the injury-ravaged team, he’s come through in big moments.

Since Feb. 2, the right winger has racked up six goals and three assists. In the first period against Detroit on Saturday, Archibald opened up the scoring at 5:58 with a long-range shot on goaltender Jimmy Howard.

4. Fischer seemed to fit in

With Stepan coming out of the lineup, a door was opened for Coyotes winger Christian Fischer to re-join the Coyotes lineup after spending four games as a healthy scratch. In his first game back, Fischer looked refreshed playing on a line with Mario Kempe and Conor Garland. 1134068 Arizona Coyotes “Me and my friends, my teammates, we always come and watch games here,” Pasichnuk said during June’s camp at Gila River Arena. “I love the Coyotes because they have so many hard workers on their team, and Five college hockey players the Arizona Coyotes could be interested in that's kind of what I thrive off in my game.” signing out of college Scouts’ take: Pasichnuk is probably ready to make the jump to the professional game but may be inclined to stick around for one more season given what the Sun Devils have built in Tempe. Richard Morin, Arizona Republic 2. Max Veronneau, RW, Princeton Published 1:17 p.m. MT March 2, 2019 | Updated 3:54 p.m. MT March 2, 2019 2018-19 stats: 28 games, 11 goals, 34 points.

Eligibility: Senior.

Once the trade deadline wraps up, team scouts, talent-evaluators and NHL camps attended: Kings, Devils, Flames, Golden Knights. decision-makers alike turn their attention toward college ice in an attempt Veronneau has been a busy man during his amateur career and is a to find a diamond in the rough. veteran of the NHL prospect development camp circuit. But with the As it will also be the case with several NHL teams in the coming weeks, 2018-19 campaign being his senior season, Veronneau will almost this applies to the Coyotes and President of Hockey Operations and certainly sign with an NHL team when Princeton’s season wraps up. General Manager John Chayka, who has not been afraid to sign When watching video of Veronneau’s game, it’s clear that despite being undrafted free agents after their NCAA seasons wrap up. a winger there is obvious tendencies of a center there, too. Take a look NCAA players who do not have their NHL rights owned by another team, at this goal from Friday where Veronneau drives through the middle of which essentially means they were never drafted, are eligible to sign with the ice with speed to score a power-play goal. NHL teams at the conclusion of their college campaigns — which, for Scouts’ take: Whether or not Veronneau has the skills to compete at the most, will come in just a few weeks. NHL level right now, he certainly fits the bill for the type of forward many Although most undrafted signees don’t wind up becoming NHL teams would be after. superstars, there is still a chance for teams to find an overlooked talent or 3. Ryan Kuffner, LW, Princeton even a player who took a bit longer to develop. Just in the last decade, players such as Tyler Bozak (Denver), Torey Krug (Michigan State), 2018-19 stats: 28 games, 20 goals, 39 points. Conor Sheary (UMass) and Carter Hutton (UMass-Lowell) have been signed out of the college ranks in this manner. Eligibility: Senior.

Last season, the Coyotes signed free-agent defenseman Jordan Gross NHL camps attended: Jets, Blackhawks, Senators. to a three-year, entry-level deal out of Notre Dame last season. Gross Princeton might not be tournament-bound this season, but they do have played one game with the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate in Tucson last season one of the most dangerous lines in college hockey with Veronneau and and has spent the entire 2018-19 campaign with the Roadrunners. Kuffner manning the wings on the Tigers’ top unit.

Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com Kuffner is another player, who, like Veronneau, will almost certainly be today. signing with an NHL team when Princeton’s season comes to an end. “Management flips the switch in some ways, but for the scouts it’s Although whether or not he makes an immediate impact at the NHL level ongoing at all times,” Chayka said of how the Coyotes approach NCAA is another thing. free agents. “Our guys have looked at some of the players available this “I think it’s pretty rare that these kids are ready to step into the NHL and year for three to four years. We’ve got a book on them, we’ve seen the make an immediate impact,” Chayka said of most NCAA free agents. “I trajectory. Our approach has always been a little bit more focused. We don’t think we look at it from a route of, ‘I need a third-line winger; let me try to be strategic and thorough as opposed to kind of spraying bullets. go via the college route.’ You do it with some foresight with looking at “It’s a tough market and historically it hasn’t been very successful in your projections of the prospect pipeline you have and trying to fill that terms of conversion rate, but it is an ability to build depth in your out.” organization through these means.” Scouts’ take: Kuffner, like Veronneau, is one of the more polished After a lackluster trade deadline, the Coyotes find themselves with one forwards among the senior class and possesses a similar skill set that open contract slot (the maximum is 50) across their affiliates this season. should translate well to the professional game. Could Chayka and his staff look to fill that final spot with an NCAA free 4. Troy Loggins, LW, Northern Michigan agent? 2018-19 stats: 34 games, 20 goals, 35 points. Here are five players who could be of interest to the Coyotes when their college seasons come to an end: Eligibility: Senior.

1. Brinson Pasichnuk, D, Arizona State NHL camps attended: Coyotes.

2018-19 stats: 33 games, 12 goals, 29 points. Loggins, who attended the Coyotes’ prospect development camp last summer, is not regarded as highly as Veronneau and Kuffner but could Eligibility: Junior. still be a target for the Coyotes due to that familiarity.

NHL camps attended: Coyotes. As a point-per-game player for the last two seasons, Loggins has Pasichnuk has been one of the hottest names mentioned by scouts when established himself as a consistent, productive forward at the NCAA it comes to identifying the best names available. level.

Although he is a junior and could choose to return to the Sun Devils next Scouts’ take: If given an opportunity in the minors he has a chance to season, Pasichnuk, a team captain, is regarded as one of the more establish himself enough to potentially get a look with an NHL club, polished defenseman in the NCAA this season and gets a lot of credit although he’ll need some work. from evaluators when asked what has put Arizona State in position for a Arizona State's Johnny Walker looks for the puck during a game against deep playoff run. on Jan. 25.

Although the Coyotes aren’t necessarily in need of defensemen to round 5. Johnny Walker, RW, Arizona State out their prospect pool, Pasichnuk did attend, the club’s prospect development camp as an invitee last summer, which could mean the 2018-19 stats: 31 games, 23 goals, 34 points. Coyotes are on the short list of teams for which he’d consider leaving Eligibility: Sophomore. early. NHL camps attended: Blue Jackets.

Walker is a bit of a wild card. Although he is just a sophomore, he is 22 years old and the leading goal-scorer in the NCAA. This might be his best chance to get the contract he wants while still being at a good age to develop for a bit in the AHL if needed.

Walker is also a Phoenix native and a lifelong fan of the Coyotes, which could persuade him to leave the Sun Devils two seasons early. However, the same things apply to Walker that also apply to Pasichnuk, which is that the juggernaut Arizona State program could be hard for players to leave.

“We always kind of take the players lead on that,” Chayka said of expressing interest to players who retain the option to return to school. "We’re not trying to force them to make life decisions. You want them to feel comfortable and feel that they’re making the right decision for the right reasons.

“We typically express our interest to the agent or adviser and if there’s a change to pitch our organization and our ability to help them along that development path. I think there is a balance.”

Still, there is little doubt about Walker’s skill. He’s a fixture on the team’s top power-play unit and possesses a rocket of a shot from the face-off circle. He’s got a nose for the net and even has a four-goal game under his belt this season.

Scouts’ take: Walker is a unique case this season, but there is no denying his talent. He seems to be a player with a rare scoring instinct. Some AHL time could do him good, but Walker has a very good shot to be a solid NHL player at some point.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134069 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes assign Jason Demers to Tucson for conditioning

BY MATT LAYMAN

MARCH 2, 2019 AT 10:31 AM

The Arizona Coyotes announced Saturday that defenseman Jason Demers would be sent to to the AHL on a conditioning loan as he makes his way back from injury.

Demers has been out since Nov. 15 with a lower-body injury that threatened the remainder of his season. But his recovery has him healthy enough to get a conditioning loan with the Tucson Roadrunners, a sign that he could be back to the NHL roster well before the end of the regular season.

The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that conditioning loans can’t last longer than two weeks.

The right-shot defenseman was regularly on the Coyotes’ top defensive pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who of late has played with Niklas Hjalmarsson but was matched with other blueliners in Demers’ absence. Demers has 10 seasons of NHL experience with 591 games played, 44 goals and 150 assists.

The 30-year-old’s apparent proximity to returning to the Coyotes’ lineup is welcome news, since the team has been decimated by injuries this season all over the ice. Center Christian Dvorak just played his first game of the season on Tuesday, while the Coyotes will be without center Derek Stepan for four to six weeks after he went down on Thursday.

It’s difficult to say whom Demers will replace in the lineup upon his seemingly-imminent return to the Coyotes. Kevin Connauton has been the scratched defenseman lately, and yet another defenseman will have to come out for Demers to slot in.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134070 Arizona Coyotes The big-picture goal here is still about the timeline and growth of this organization. Were the Coyotes really going to relegate Dvorak to fourth- line minutes behind a center who may not be back next season for the The Neutral Zone: Should the injury ravaged Coyotes have acquired glory of a first-round appearance? It depends on your goal. If it is all another center? about winning now, then maybe. If it is about long-term sustainability, maybe not.

Don’t forget that any player entering the organization would have to By Craig Morgan adapt to Tocchet’s style of play when assessing the merits of another roster addition. Just look back at last season’s team and you’ll remember Mar 2, 2019 how long that transition took for most of the players. Were the Coyotes prepared to work that player into the mix while also re-introducing four of the injured players — Brad Richardson, Dvorak, Jason Demers and It was Derek Stepan who first uttered the phrase that became a tagline Michael Grabner — over the stretch run? That’s a lot of tinkering, but for his team’s season: “The hockey gods are real, and they are mean.” Tocchet and assistants John MacLean and Scott Allen have already earned a master’s degree in tinkering this season. The gods’ favorite playthings, the Arizona Coyotes, were on the receiving end of more cruelty on Friday. Coach Rick Tocchet told a small gathering Chayka and Tocchet have talked often about this team’s resiliency; it’s of reporters after practice that Stepan would miss four to six weeks with a ability to play through so much adversity this season with the losses of lower-body injury suffered when he got pinned along the boards in the eight key regulars at various points, and for varying lengths of time. The offensive zone by Canucks defenseman Troy Stetcher early in the third addition of a center might have been a way to say thanks to those period of a 5-2 win over Vancouver on Thursday at Gila River Arena. players for their efforts — a show of faith in this group while bolstering Stepan screamed in pain and left the ice without putting any weight on also their confidence. It might also have given fans hope that his left leg. management was committed to this playoff run.

The injury is to his MCL (medial collateral ligament), but the recovery What a story it would be if the Coyotes were to make the playoffs in the period suggests the possibility that he could return if the Coyotes qualify face of such adversity. NHL GMs tend to overvalue non-first-round draft for the playoffs. picks and their own assets anyway. Maybe Chayka could have packaged one of the team’s glut of defensive prospects with a draft pick (not the “He’s a little down but he said he wants to be an assistant coach for a first-rounder) for a center without really deviating from the organization’s while,” Tocchet said. “He’s hired. He’s the type of guy who wants to be plan. around anyway. On the flip side, Chayka also spoke recently about rewarding the players “It’s a tough one for us. He’s been playing great hockey for us. That line who have filled in so admirably for all the injured players. Some might has been great. I’m not lying to you. It’s a big blow to us, to our team.” view his loyalty to them as a cover-up for his lack of activity, but there is Stepan’s injury invoked a range of reactions from fans. The kind-hearted clearly merit to rewarding players for their production. If another center among them had thoughts only for Stepan and a speedy recovery. The came in, somebody would have to leave the lineup. Again, it comes down lamenters publicly absorbed another blow to their personal playoff to a win-now vs. a long-term approach. dreams, and a few looked toward those gods, wondering why the There is also the Coyotes system to consider. Outside of Barrett Hayton, Coyotes were cursed. what top-end forward prospects do they have? Maybe Nick Merkley in One reaction that bears further examination is this: Should Coyotes Tucson? Maybe Nate Schnarr in Guelph? Draft picks are still a valuable president of hockey operations John Chayka have added a center at the commodity and the Coyotes desperately need to stock their shelves with trade deadline to help what was already a shorthanded roster, instead of better forward prospects. Should they have given up those assets — and standing pat with only a minor-league move for Michael Chaput? the odds of landing a top player that a greater number of picks creates — for a player that might not be back next year? Let’s begin that discussion by dismissing the notion that the Coyotes should have done so because they have been plagued by injuries and If you find value in the Coyotes’ young players making the playoffs, there they should have seen this coming. No GM builds his trade-deadline is an argument to be made there. The postseason would be an strategy around predicting specific injuries, and there is no data to invaluable learning experience for Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun, suggest that teams that have suffered significant injuries earlier in the Lawson Crouse, Christian Fischer, Vinnie Hinostroza, Conor Garland, season will suffer more later in the season because it simply isn’t true. Ilya Lyubushkin and others. You could also make the argument that a Just read the premise behind that theory and try not to laugh. It’s playoff berth might make the Coyotes a more attractive commodity to ridiculous. potential investors as Andrew Barroway looks to sell the all or a majority stake in the team – another sign that the on-ice product is heading in the This discussion never would have materialized if Stepan hadn’t suffered right direction. the injury, and nobody — emphasis on nobody — knew that was coming. In seven previous full-length seasons, Stepan had never missed more Before we end, however, it’s also fair to wonder just how much flexibility than 14 games, and in five of those seasons, he missed a combined one Barroway really granted Chayka. Chayka said he had it, but he may have game. been protecting his owner with that statement. Chayka wouldn’t be the first GM to have his hands constrained by budget issues, and there is not It’s nice to dream about the Coyotes adding a top-six center, but the enough attention paid to those constraints when considering his body of rental prices were expensive at the trade deadline, the market was thin at work to date. that position (it always is), there was no assurance that a rental would have signed a long-term deal in Arizona and let’s face it, the Coyotes are So, should the Coyotes have added another center at the deadline? a cap-floor team that’s still on a tight budget. There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the debate. As is usually the case with thorough analysis, the answer is not as black and That doesn’t mean that Chayka should not have made a move, however. white as some have portrayed it. It is multiple shades of gray. The more Even with a healthy Stepan, the Coyotes already knew they would have perspectives you consider, the more nuanced it becomes. to make this playoff push with Nick Schmaltz, their best offensive center, who also suffered a knee injury and is out for at least the rest of the The center plan regular season. Instead of forcing Mario Kempe or Nick Cousins into an With Stepan out, Tocchet acknowledged he will have to tinker with the unnatural position that both of them will now play in the wake of Stepan’s lines once again. injury, Chayka could have added a depth player; an upgrade over Jordan Weal, who went to Montreal in the Chaput deal. “There’s going to be a lot of combinations,” Tocchet said. “I’m a big pair guy. You try to put pairs together. Obviously, the (Richardson) and Christian Dvorak is back but he is still working his way up to late-season (Stepan) lines were pretty consistent for us. The other guys were kind of game speed. The Coyotes cannot and should not count on him for major thrown around a little bit but I liked those two lines so I am going to have minutes in major situations right now, so another center might have to find some chemistry with (Lawson Crouse) and (Josh Archibald), eased his transition while allowing Cousins and Kempe to stay on the they’re a pair, and Vinnie (Hinostroza) and (Richard Panik) usually play wing. On the flip side of that argument, Dvorak needs to play. well together. “(Richardson) might have to play up and down the lineup, which he can The outliers? Ekman-Larsson, knee injury in Ottawa on Jan. 22; Raanta, do, and then some other guys might have to step in. Archie has played who injured his knee in Minnesota on Nov. 27 on Zach Parise’s second- center before. There’s a lot of different formulas we’re going to try and we period goal when he jammed it into the post; and Brad Richardson, who have to be ready to try those different things.” blocked a shot with his hand in Vancouver on Jan. 10, breaking a bone and sidelining him for a little more than a month. With Archibald as a possibility, the best bet is that the Coyotes will go with Richardson, Dvorak, Cousins and Kempe at center. Curse? Probably not, but we’ll keep an eye on it, and we’ll maintain a wide berth when walking past the arena’s dark corners. It’s an odd turn of events that Richardson, who nearly left the team this summer in free agency, is now the de facto No. 1 center. He already has Loose pucks a career-high in goals (16) and his four-goal night on Thursday underscored just how valuable he has been to the team this season. • The Coyotes acquired center Michael Chaput from the Canadiens at the NHL’s Feb. 25 trade deadline, but he has yet to report to the Tucson Injury updates Roadrunners. Tucson GM Steve Sullivan said Friday that he is still waiting on his work visa. Before the Stepan injury, the Coyotes’ overall injury situation was trending in a hopeful direction. There is still promising news in the wake • The Coyotes recalled forward Hudson Fasching from Tucson on of his loss, however. Friday night. Fasching has 12 goals and 25 points in 48 games with the Roadrunners this season. Arizona acquired Fasching from the Buffalo Defenseman Jason Demers could be back in the lineup on Tuesday Sabres for defenseman Brandon Hickey and forward Mike Sislo in June. when the Coyotes host the Anaheim Ducks. He has been sidelined since Fasching has played top-six, right-wing minutes for the Roadrunners sustaining a knee injury against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 15. most of the season with some power-play work and a key role on the The Coyotes assigned Demers to the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) for a penalty-killing unit. conditioning stint on Saturday. The Roadrunners play the Colorado • Three of the Coyotes’ final four opponents on this season-long seven- Eagles on Saturday and Sunday in Loveland, Colorado, but Demers will game homestand are the Red Wings, Ducks and Kings. Those teams sit only play Saturday’s game because the Coyotes do not want to put a 29th, 28th and 30th in the NHL standings. Calgary (second) is the other player just returning from an injury into back-to-back games. opponent.

Demers return would give the Coyotes the valuable, top-four, right- • The two teams that held Western Conference wild-card positions handed defenseman they have been missing since his departure. It will when play began Saturday both faced tough games. Dallas was at St. be interesting to see how Allen works Demers back into the lineup. Oliver Louis; Minnesota was at Calgary. If those teams lose and the Coyotes Ekman-Larsson has been playing with Nik Hjalmarsson recently. Allen beat the Red Wings, Arizona would climb into the second wild-card spot will probably try to limit Demers’ minutes at first, but the staff liked and be tied with Dallas in points for the first spot. The Stars own the Demers playing alongside Ekman-Larsson. tiebreaker based on the ROW column (regulation/overtime wins).

Forward Michael Grabner could return to the lineup on March 9 vs the Kings, but that return date is more tenuous than Demers’. Grabner hasn’t played since sustaining an eye injury against the Blues on Dec. 1. He The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 was recently fitted with a new contact lens in his eye that is helping eliminate the remaining vision issues he was having.

When those two players return, goalie Antti Raanta, Schmaltz and Stepan will be the only three regulars out of the lineup. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco is recovering after ACL surgery and rehabbing with Bill Knowles of HP Sports in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Gila River Arena curse?

Conspiracy theorists are blaming Gila River Arena’s haunted hollows. Others view it as a creepy coincidence. Whatever your take, consider this: The Coyotes have suffered seven knee injuries to key players this season, along with three other injuries in additional areas to key players. Five of those knee injuries have occurred in Glendale, as well as two of the three others.

Training camp: With a week or two remaining until his return from another injury, Christian Dvorak was tripped up as he went to the net during a drill and tore his pectoral muscle, sidelining him until last week.

Sept. 18: Alex Galchenyuk scored two goals in a preseason win over the Kings, but felt a pain in his knee. That was his last game before surgery, which sidelined him for the first seven games of the season.

Nov. 15: Demers suffered a left-knee injury on in the waning seconds of a 2-1 win against the Nashville Predators. While jockeying for position in front of the Arizona goal with Predators forward Kyle Turris, Demers fell, rose, pushed the net off its moorings to ensure a stoppage of play with the Predators buzzing around the goal, and then fell again and immediately grabbed his knee.

Dec. 30: Schmaltz suffered an injury against the Golden Knights when a player fell on top of him in the neutral zone. “He was cutting one way and the player fell on his leg,” Chayka said. “With those types of injuries, it’s about the vector of force and if it goes the wrong way it creates an issue.

Feb. 7: Capobianco suffered a torn ACL in a game against the Blue Jackets when he got tangled with Columbus forward Nick Foligno against the boards behind Arizona’s goal with 12:11 left in the third period.

Feb. 28: Stepan suffered a left MCL injury when he got pinned along the boards in the offensive zone by Canucks defenseman Troy Stetcher early in the third period of a 5-2 win over Vancouver. 1134071 David Pastrnak, out since Feb. 12 (left thumb surgery), continues to skate in Brighton, but remains in a cast. Naturally, the Bruins would like to have their leading goal scorer (31) back in the lineup, but they’re not Marcus Johansson appears to be a good fit with Bruins aching for him to return.

Boston is producing significantly more without him (3.55 goals per game) than they did in 56 with him (2.86). In nine games sans Pasta, they have By Matt Porter climbed from the bottom five to the middle of the pack (T-14) in goals per game (2.95). Pastrnak was due to get his cast off next week, then return

to play with a splint or brace. Everything was falling into place for Marcus Johansson. Lines shuffled He made lifelong friends in Washington, the club that made him a first- Cassidy altered his bottom six to replace valuable fourth-line left wing round pick (24th overall) in 2009. He arrived in D.C. the following year Sean Kuraly, who was put into concussion protocol after taking a knock and spent the next seven years trying to win a Stanley Cup. Thursday against the Lightning. Left wing Peter Cehlarik, who has played The last of those, 2016-17, was his best season as a pro. He played all once (Feb. 23) in the last five games, drew in on the third line. Joakim 82 games, setting career highs in goals (24) and points (58) on a line Nordstrom dropped to Kuraly’s spot to the left of Noel Acciari and Chris with Justin Williams and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Johansson was a playoff Wagner. hero, knocking Toronto out of the first round with an overtime goal in Nordstrom was reasonably effective against the Devils, but Cehlarik Game 6. failed his test. He logged 8:54 of ice time and was glued to the bench for The Capitals, in a salary-cap crunch, traded Johansson and his $4.6 the entire third period. Cassidy said it was not because of a tripping million cap hit to New Jersey for two draft picks. penalty he took late in the second period.

Then they won the Cup — without their familiar No. 90. “Sometimes it’s better to sit and watch,” Cassidy said. “Some things we had talked to him about. . . . It was a little more about his routes, Johansson understands the business, but it stung. It would be an responsibility away from the puck, managing it at the end of the second understatement to say he’s energized to have a chance in Boston. period in your own end. Those are things we had talked to him numerous times about.” “Absolutely,” he said after Friday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “It’s something you always want. There’s not a hockey player who doesn’t Miller sits out want to do that. I haven’t been part of it. We had teams in Washington that could have done it. It never went our way. Defenseman Kevan Miller (lingering upper-body injury) did not skate Saturday. His return is unknown. John Moore, who spent three years as “I feel with this team here we’re going to have a really good chance. This a Devil, played for the third consecutive game . . . Patrice Bergeron’s is an unbelievable hockey team.” first-period assist on Brad Marchand’s goal tied him with Wayne Cashman (793) for sixth on the B’s all-time scoring list . . . Zdeno Chara’s On Saturday, Johansson, 28, suited up for his third game in Boston next goal will be his 200th, making him the 21st NHL defenseman to hit against the team that traded him here. After 77 games with the Devils, the mark . . . Saturday was Charlie Coyle’s 27th birthday. the struggling club wheeled him at Monday’s trade deadline for another pair of draft picks (second round in 2019, fourth round in 2020; the Washington deal involved a second and a third). New Jersey also retained 40 percent of his salary, shrinking his cap hit to $2.75 million. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.03.2019

Johansson got the win against his former team, the Bruins prevailing, 1- 0. Johnasson had a quiet night, getting one shot in 16:03 on the ice.

After sitting out multiple games as the Devils sought a deal, Johansson jumped on Boston’s second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk and started snapping the puck around. He had an assist in his debut, last Tuesday against the Sharks.

“It was different,” Johansson said of the pre-deadline days. “For a while, I knew it was happening. When you get sat out to make sure you’re not hurt, it’s strange . . . Every time your phone goes off, you think something’s going on. [New Jersey general manager] was great. We spoke a little bit. It went down great, I think.”

All four Bruins lines have played well of late. The second line has dominated, with Krejci healthy and DeBrusk on a heater. Johansson, a heady playmaker and hard backchecker, looks like a fit. With him on the ice for 26-plus minutes of five-on-five time, the Bruins are getting 67.4 percent of shot attempts, 76.2 percent of the scoring chances, and 90.9 percent of the high-danger scoring chances.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy’s initial impression of Johansson: a quiet, driven professional.

“He wants to win a Stanley Cup,” Cassidy said Friday. “Obviously he’s got a better chance this year with the Bruins than he does with New Jersey. Hopefully that’s not motivation for the Devils [Saturday], that’s just facts. Their own GM said that. I’m not saying anything that’s not out there. He’s got the chance to go to a contender and that’s what he wants.”

Johansson — from Landskrona, in southern — said he’s getting used to living in Boston. The work makes it easier.

“It seems like the leaders in here, the veteran guys, are leading by example on and off the ice,” he said. “Just a great group overall.”

No rush for Pastrnak 1134072 Boston Bruins the stands won big smiles and sometimes stick taps among players on the benches. If today is go-kart hockey, that was bulldozer stuff.

“Yeah, for us it’s like we’re here to get the two points, right?” said Bruins Here’s an angle for you: This Bruins win was a snoozer coach Bruce Cassidy, whose charges went a league-best 11-0-2 in February. “We’re trying to bring the game home.”

By Kevin Paul Dupont The coach, from his vantage point, agreed the temperature never really warmed up all night. Had it been a frozen winter night, this game was the car, its engine running for a half-hour, with the red needle on the thermostat never inching toward warm. Halfway through the Bruins’ 1-0 win over the over the Devils at the Garden on Saturday night, it came to me: oh brother, this is going “We were content to play our game and play it well,” added Cassidy, who nowhere. can’t be faulted for finding the beauty to be had in two points.

Rarely has your faithful puck chronicler been so right. In a sport typically For reasons even the Devils find hard to fathom, including the loss of star so full of passion, emotion, struggle, pushback and tumult — the winger Taylor Hall, they’ve had a dreadful season (now 25-33-8). They delicious, rich stock that makes the NHL soup so delicious — Game No. played a valid, structured defensive game that allowed the dignity of 65 for the Black and Gold was bereft of all the good ingredients. losing by a goal. It’s about all they have to offer these days.

From an entertainment standpoint, the night was 60 minutes of soup de The Bruins were tired after an emotional win here Thursday over Tampa bore. Bay and, in part because of the hangover, played down to an opponent that was stocked by too many not-quite-ready-for-prime time players. A similar game, more than a quarter-century ago, had Fred Cusick, the club’s great TV play-by-play announcer, bemoaning, “This will never sell.” All in all, like the Pythagorean theorem, a night to forget. As quickly as The game that night didn’t have a fight (standard fare today, but a true possible. rarity then), the score likewise was low, and everyone on the ice, including the 36 skaters and two goalies, made nice and nicer.

In the NHL, congeniality is the smile that kills. For the most part, this was Boston Globe LOADED: 03.03.2019 a group hug.

“I was thinking, I hope these guys are not rattled they paid for a ticket for that game,” said , when I asked if an emotional flatline of a night can play to a goalie’s favor. “Sometimes there’s like nothing going on — ice looked a little choppy and nobody was making plays.”

But goalies, noted Rask, who snuffed out all 20 Devils shots on goal, have to be ready for anything and everything. The Devils fired at him 41 times, and given the nature of hockey, sometimes the worst attempt ends up in the back of the net. The meaningless flip from center ice can become the nightmare that takes two crazy bounces and slips through the five hole. Not Saturday night.

“You’re ready for everything as a goalie,” added Rask.. “You are waiting for that next shot, that next power play . . . that’s the only thing you are worried about as a goalie. Game of hockey, you never know what’s going to happen. All of a sudden, like we saw the other night [against Tampa], it was a tight 1-0 game and the next thing you know, it’s 4-0. So you have to be ready for everything.”

The crowd of 17,565 was certainly ready, for something, for anything. But the the moments were few.

Brad Marchand scored the lone goal. He also was turned back on a penalty shot, and those are always exciting, even if the Li’l Ball o’Hate’s forehander was easily rubbed out by Devils tender Mackenzie Blackwood. And with 10 minutes to go in the third, a blitzing Jesper Bratt cut in off the left wing and failed to jam home his doorstep stuff attempt on Rask.

Otherwise, the night threw me back 50 years, to the year-long misery that was my sophomore high school geometry class — a constant array of lines (passes), angles (approaches to the net), and circles (pivots) by the Bruins and Devils that added up to absolutely nothing. In my version of Dante’s Inferno, the gates outside each circle of hell would be shaped like congruent triangles. Fry me, please, just make it quick.

Fellow scribe Mick Colageo, your faithful puck chronicler’s ex-radio partner, long ago summed up the new NHL aptly as “go-kart hockey.”

The show Saturday night at the Garden was Exhibit A: a speedy back- and-forth that took a mere 2:21 to play, thanks in large part to no fights, no disputed goals, no disputed offsides, the lone goal by Marchand, a mere eight minutes of minor penalties, and a fairly economical 45 faceoffs.

Somewhere, Wally Harris was smiling. A brilliant referee in his day, no one moved a game along like Harris, provided the two sides didn’t break out in a line brawl, or as long as a particularly ornery couple of characters didn’t spill over the boards and fight each other down the hallway toward the dressing room.

Games sometimes were delayed, too, when fighting in the stands turned vicious and bloody. It wasn’t common, but it happened. The best fights in 1134073 Boston Bruins Marchand, who couldn’t beat Blackwood five-hole with a penalty shot five minutes later, scored his 27th goal of the year. With 19 points in his last 13 games, he has risen to T-11th in scoring (27-49—76).

Bruins continue hot stretch, shut down Devils The depleted Devils were without reigning MVP Taylor Hall (since Dec. 23 because of knee trouble), injured leading scorer Kyle Palmieri, and several other regulars. They had rookie defenseman Egor Yakovlev By Matt Porter slotted as a fourth-line wing. Late in the second period, their active leading scorer, ex-No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier, needed treatment for

an apparent left arm/hand injury. He returned, but skated just 11:04. It would have been very easy for the Bruins to lay an egg Saturday, Unsurprisingly, New Jersey couldn’t generate much offense. They had a playing a rebuilding team at home, two nights after whipping the top team fruitless first-period power-play chance, and one in the second, but few in the league. other quality chances other than Bratt’s breakaway. Boston, which opened eyes with Thursday’s dominant win over NHL Marchand didn’t find it hard to keep his energy high. points leader Tampa Bay, welcomed one of the leasts of the East, the New Jersey Devils. Little else of note occurred Saturday besides a Brad “They beat us last time we were in here,” he said. “We know they play a Marchand goal and a Tuukka Rask shutout, but neither they, nor coach hard game. They play fast. They play heavy. When you have a lot of Bruce Cassidy, were concerned. guys in the lineup, playing for spots on the team and contracts and things like that, you’ve got to watch those teams. You can’t sleep on them.” “It’s too hard to win in this league to get picky,” said Cassidy, whose club extended its NHL-best points streak to 16 games (12-0-4). Fine. Carolina is next, on Tuesday at TD Garden. Not only are the Hurricanes fighting for a playoff spot, they beat the Bruins on Dec. 23. “We didn’t seem to have the same pop we did [earlier] this week. We talked about that; emotionally, it might be a little bit, not as invested. But, Compared to this one, it should be a barn-burner. enough to win.”

The Bruins (39-17-9) also maintained their edge on Toronto in the Atlantic Division (87 for Boston; 84 for Toronto, which beat Buffalo). Boston Globe LOADED: 03.03.2019

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Since losing to the Devils on Dec. 27 in Boston, the Bruins are 19-3-5 in their last 27 games. They handled business Saturday in a fast-moving, low-action contest, without much in the way of hatred or heat. Fine by the B’s, who have 17 regular-season games left and are 11 wins shy of reaching 50 for the second year in a row.

“We were expecting that kind of game,” said Patrice Bergeron (assist). “They don’t give you much. . . . If it’s going to be a 1-0 game, so be it. We’ll play the right way and take care of every puck we have.”

They would have liked to give Rask more of a cushion, but he didn’t seem to mind. He earned his third shutout of the year by stopping 20 shots. He foiled troublesome Devil Jesper Bratt on a partial breakaway in the third period, his right pad doing the tough work. Other than that, the Devils didn’t bring the drama.

Neither did the Bruins, who were hardly dynamic.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Rask said. “But the way we started, we were on time. We took it to them and got the lead. . . . The way we defended, again, it was great.”

Was it tough to stay focused with so little action? Not for Rask, who is 14- 0-3 in his last 17 games with a .933 save percentage.

“It comes with experience. You learn to kind of hang out, watch the game, and take it like a practice. When it comes to you, try to stop it.”

Rask is the second netminder in NHL history to post multiple point streaks of at least 17 decisions; his other went for 21 games last season. The other was Pete Peeters (27 games with Philadelphia, 1979-80; 21 games with Boston, 1982-83).

Among goalies with 35 or more starts, only Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevskiy has fewer losses (seven; 30-7-4) than Rask (eight; 22-8-5). His save percentage (.922) is fourth-highest.

“He’s facing basically every puck,” said Bergeron, “and his rebound control is pretty amazing right now. He’s helping us a lot.”

New Jersey netminder Mackenzie Blackwood, the rookie who earned his first career win Dec. 27 in Boston by stopping 40 of 42 shots, was just as sharp, but not as fortunate. He stopped 29 of 30 pucks, his only gaffe on a bedeviling strike by Marchand.

Marchand, who had 666 career penalty minutes entering Saturday and was playing his 666th career game, snapped one in off the crossbar 2:37 into the affair. It came after Bergeron zipped a no-look backhand feed over to his pal, and Jake DeBrusk settled an airborne puck with a backhand swing. 1134074 Boston Bruins talk to a general manager, that’s the first guy they ask about. Or they ask about Liam Foudy, who is on fire in London. Or they ask about Alexandre Texier. And it’s a “no” every time [they ask]. It’s a nonstarter.”

Blue Jackets loaded up for Stanley Cup run There is no hedge, however, for the second point, the need for the acquired hands to fit right in and produce with a team in a pressure cooker. By Kevin Paul Dupont Based on their pedigree, it should work, with Duchene and Dzingel bringing needed pop up front and the ever-willing McQuaid (if he remains healthy) adding muscle and a documented intolerance for nonsense to The Columbus Blue Jackets won Monday’s NHL trade deadline (trophy the backline corps. Unless things cave for Bobrovsky, Kinkaid is likely to still being commissioned) and did it without swapping out left winger have the least impact of the bunch. He was added as an upgrade over Artemi Panarin or goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, two high-profile components backup Joonas Korpisalo. who are likely to pack up as unrestricted free agents come July 1. All smart, considered moves by Kekalainen, but deep down he knows the Panarin is pegged to be the UFA market’s biggest cash winner, the inherent risks that come with making such a dramatic change in Russian wizard all but guaranteed to see long-term offers at $10 million a personnel at this time of the season. He has attempted to hire a growth year or more (early betting has the Rangers in the lead, followed by the spurt, in a sport where growth typically comes organically and over time. Kings). Bobrovsky also should enjoy a beefy payday, even with his He also has a coach, Tortorella, whose modus operandi is anything but numbers a bit softer than most of his previous six seasons in providing players, be they young or old, with time and space to deliver. Cannonland. Some like it hot. Torts likes it hotter. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen, a former Bruins forward, opted to “We have our core in place,” said Kekalainen. “It’s going to be in place no keep those two primo UFAs and fill in around them with an impressive matter what happens with the UFAs. We have Seth Jones. We have foursome of rentals, led by ex-Senators forwards Matt Duchene and Zach Werenski. We have Nick Foligno. We have Pierre-Luc Dubois. We Ryan Dzingel. He also added rugged ex-Bruin defenseman Adam have lots of good players. We’ll have a good team next year no matter McQuaid (via the Rangers) and backup goalie Keith Kinkaid (via the what happens to the UFAs.” Devils). Impressive win, 4-1, by the Bruins Thursday over Tampa Bay, though it Cost of the haul: one roster player (Anthony Duclair to the Senators), needs to be noted once more that it was the third game in four nights for three prospects, and five draft picks (including a pair of first-rounders to the Lightning, who also played the night before at Madison Square Ottawa in the Duchene swap). Garden. The runaway favorites for the Presidents’ Trophy (best regular- That leaves the Jackets with only a pair of picks for the upcoming June season record) began to peter out at the 10-minute mark of the first draft in Vancouver. Unless Kekalainen gets busy with follow-up deals — period and the Bruins gained momentum before finally scoring their his focus elsewhere at the moment — the Columbus draft table might three-goal knockout punch midway through the third. turn into a two-day cribbage tournament. Would it be different if they meet again in, say, Round 2 of the The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. postseason? It’s hockey, so good luck figuring out puck bounces or final scores. But there’s no question the Bolts will be better rested and better Kekalainen took a novel approach, one fraught with risk on a couple of prepared than the tired club that showed up on Causeway for its 65th levels: game of the season.

1. All of the acquired players are also UFAs, none with any known Keep in mind, after dropping the opening game of Round 2 to the Bruins hankerin’ to make Columbus their long-term home. Kekalainen did an last spring, the Lightning ran the table with four straight wins. Sure, had artful, masterful job of retaining his core roster talent, but if everyone the referees been sharper in Game 4, and called the Bolts for interfering flees town in July, he will have yielded an extremely high premium in with Charlie McAvoy, the series could have stood at 2-2 going back to draft picks — one he feels is mitigated by a stash of talented prospects Tampa. But there was little question, Tampa was the better team, he has incubating in juniors and overseas. particularly when judged on scoring depth, and the Bruins graded “N.I.” — needs improvement — for overall roster talent. 2. Though all four new guys are upgrades, particularly Duchene and Dzingel up front, they were brought aboard for what is a relatively short What would give Bruce Cassidy and crew cause to think it would be window (six weeks) and with the pressure to provide immediate impact different in the 2019 postseason? ratcheted high, given where the Jackets sit in the standings. They don’t have time to find a fit. Heading into the weekend, the sons of John “Well, I think Grizz and Charlie have a little more experience under their Tortorella were just barely clinging to a playoff spot in the East, with but belt,” said Cassidy, referring to the improved play of defensemen Matt one point separating the Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Penguins, and Grzelcyk and McAvoy. “So does Jake [DeBrusk], [Danton] Heinen.” Hurricanes. A single point. And right now, the math looks like two of The core remains the same, albeit with the injured David Pastrnak an those four will end up DNQs. unknown after undergoing wrist surgery nearly three weeks ago. The To the first point, Kekalainen didn’t sound worried when he addressed march into the postseason will be led by Brad Marchand, Patrice the Columbus media immediately after Dealing Day came to a close. Bergeron, and David Krejci up front, followed by aged kingpin Zdeno Chara on the backline and Tuukka Rask (without a regulation loss since “We still have great prospects left,” he said. “And we’ve got some time to Dec. 23) in net. get back some draft picks. Most of the time the draft picks take five years before they’re going to help you, so if we gave up a 2021 draft pick, do “I guess to judge [Charlie] Coyle vs. Riley Nash, it’s a little bit early for the math, it’s 2026 when they’re going to make an impact on the Blue that — and I don’t want to disrespect Riley, he did a real good job for us,” Jackets. So we have time to figure that out.” added Cassidy, focusing on GM Don Sweeney’s deadline acquisitions. “And then Marcus [Johansson] vs. Rick Nash, it’s a little early for that, as The kids that provide Kekalainen some comfort are all centers, including well.” Liam Foudy (OHL London), Emil Bemstrom (Djurgardens, Sweden) and Alexandre Texier (Kalpa, ). All three recent draft picks (2017-18) Overall, said Cassidy, he feels more confident because “some of our have the potential to step in next year, filling the voids up front if Duchene guys are little more battle tested.” and Dzingel were to walk. Again, potential. And if they come aboard, “That’s probably the biggest difference,” he added. “They’ve seen what they’ll have the luxury of time to figure out their fit and finish. it’s like to play, I don’t know how to describe it, but maybe ‘man’s hockey’ “Bemstrom leads the Swedish league in goal scoring,” noted Kekalainen. in April and May where [play] just gets elevated. You just have to be “Compare the names that have done that at his age (19), the list of heavier and stronger on pucks — so whatever description you want to names . . . you get Peter Forsberg, you get Markus Naslund, you get use, they probably have a much better feel for that.” [Daniel] Sedin, you get Kent Nilsson. I am not saying he is going to be Another huge tipping factor could be the inclusion of defensemen one of those guys, because I never do that, but . . . he has done some Brandon Carlo and Torey Krug for a full playoff run. Carlo missed all of significant things. He has 20 goals in the Swedish league at age 19. He’s last spring because of a broken ankle and has yet to log a minute of on the men’s national team. Nobody really talks about it. But every time I playoff action. Krug, the Bruins’ best offensive producer from the back, nothing left to do but fire the coach, the Senators on Friday fired the was done in Game 4 vs. the Lightning, the consequence of an ugly feet- coach, Guy Boucher, and replaced him for the time being with associate first slide into the sidewall. He exited with a 3-9—12 line across 10-plus bench boss Marc Crawford. Just an abysmal, rudderless teardown in playoff games. Ottawa. Crawford, by the way, was the Canucks forward in October 1982 who put the smack on second-year Bruins winger Normand Leveille in Fans are entitled to their feelings, first and foremost because they pay Vancouver that rattled Leveille’s head against the boards, his last shift in the freight. There’s an easy case to make that every arena and stadium the NHL. Leveille soon was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital, in the country ought to plant a statue of a paying customer on its where neurosurgeons saved his life with brain surgery to repair a grounds. Right next to one of a distinguished, if not legendary, media ruptured arteriovenous malformation . . . The Sabres have nosedived member, no doubt. again so their moves are back to under-the-radar status. But GM Jason The read here, though, is that John Tavares deserved far better than the Botterill made a shrewd pickup at the deadline, acquiring former UMass vicious haranguing he received Thursday in his first trip to Nassau Amherst defenseman Brandon Montour from the Ducks for blue liner Coliseum since packing up last July to join the Maple Leafs. The night Brendan Guhle and a first-round pick. Montour can wheel and put up was made all the more brutal when his former Islanders, considered left points, which fits in with other Sabre backliners Rasmus Ristolainen and for chum upon his exit, rolled up a 6-1 win over his current Blue and Rasmus Dahlin. If Botterill can add more dependable scorers in the White. middle of the forward corps, the Sabres should be able to push the puck from the back end with the best of ’em . . . I can’t be the only one who Bad night to have a bad night. winces each time David Backes drops the gloves for a fight. The proud veteran forward has had no fewer than three concussions since joining When the Coliseum message board flashed, “Thank you, John” for his the Bruins and one led him to exit the playoffs last year on rubber legs. nine years of distinguished service with the Fish Sticks, the booing He teed up in fights in back-to-back games (San Jose-Tampa Bay) this reached its highwater mark for the evening. Some fans tossed plastic past week for the first time in his career. His courage and willingness are snakes on the ice. Others wore old Tavares sweaters with such subtle commendable. But, enough. hints as “Judas” taped over his nameplate.

“They always made it tough for the opponent when I played here,” a diplomatic Tavares said after his night standing inside the pouring rain. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.03.2019 Again, entitled to their feelings. There’s a very vocal group, be it minority or majority, that feels jilted that Tavares left after nine years of quality service. Frankly, for much of that time, he was more than the face of the franchise. Once beyond his visage, the whole enterprise arguably wasn’t much more than a Zamboni, a bucket of pucks, a smattering of concession stands, and some faded ticket stubs from an Islander dynasty that ended with the last of four Cups in 1983.

Misplaced ire, in my opinion. If they were really watching, Islanders fans should have placed their anger on the failure(s) of team ownership and management, which rendered the franchise a laughingstock despite the fact Tavares showed up night after night as one of the game’s rare point- per-game players.

Through it all, Tavares kept his mouth shut, did his job (at a very good pay rate, no doubt), and finally opted to beat it down Meadowbrook Parkway. He did it with dignity, class, and entirely within the rules of the CBA that allowed him to leave at age 28. He found his fortune ($11 million a year) and got to go home.

That doesn’t mean anyone on Long Island has to feel good for him, or even cheer him. Frankly, though he’d never say it, Thursday night had to make him all the happier he left. Because, like everyone else, he’s entitled to his feelings.

Loose pucks

Now just a couple of weeks shy of his 25th birthday, Frank Vatrano recently inked a three-year contract extension in Florida that will pay out a total $7.6 million. His line as the weekend approached: 20-13—33 in 62 games. The Springfield Rifle was moved by the Bruins at the deadline a year ago for the third-round draft pick that netted Jakub Lauko, who has popped at nearly a point per game this season with Rouyn-Noranda in the League . . . Perhaps Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is softening. During a news conference this past week, he interrupted the standard Q & A when a reporter’s cellphone, placed on his podium as a recorder, began to ring. The caller was the mother of Tom Reed, reporter for The Athletic. All smiles and charm, Torts answered the call and assured Reed’s mother he enjoyed talking to her more than to her son. “Rude of [Tom] not to call you back,” he told Reed’s mom before hanging up, “but he’s busy right now.” . . . To add Adam McQuaid, the Blue Jackets sent backline prospect Julius Bergman to the Rangers, along with two draft picks (Rounds 4 and 7). Sound familiar? When acquiring McQuaid from the Bruins at the start of training camp, Rangers GM Jeff Gorton gave up Steven Kampfer and two draft picks (Round 4 and 7). McQuaid, by the way, originally was a Blue Jackets draft pick. Then- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli acquired him for a fifth-round draft pick that the Blue Jackets then swapped to the Stars, who used it to select Jamie Benn . . . Similar to the Bruins adding Lee Stempniak after the deadline passed, the Islanders did the same with former Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. Like Stempniak in Boston, Seidenberg remained in Islanders camp throughout the season, then came aboard for a prorated $700,000 . . . With the player cupboard cleaned out at the deadline and 1134075 Boston Bruins schedule grinds toward the brand new season of the playoffs, it appears the B’s have some.

Bruins win by any means necessary Boston Herald LOADED: 03.03.2019

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald

March 3, 2019 at 12:10 am

The entertainment value of the Bruins’ victory against the NHL-best Lightning on Thursday was, on a scale of 1-10, a double-digit success.

The thrill-o-meter for lastn night’s 1-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils at the Garden? Well, the game barely registered a 2. But that doesn’t mean the B’s don’t have a right to feel good about themselves after this one, too.

As coach Bruce Cassidy talked about before the contest, this one had “trap game” written all over it.

There were no statements to be made in this one. The only things at stake were the two points the B’s, despite a points streak that is now up to 16 games (12-0-4), still desperately need if they want home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs (the gum-on-the-shoe Maple Leafs remain just three points behind after their win over Buffalo).

The Devils are not going to the playoffs, and a win against them was expected. But they are a team consisting right now of young, hard- skating, competitive players who are trying to impressive their coach and general manager, precisely the kind of team that throws a playoff-bound opponent a curveball.

It wasn’t going to be a fun, razzle-dazzle night for the B’s. But they settled into the kind of game it was going to be — a dreadfully boring defensive struggle that nonetheless takes quite a bit of effort on the players’ part to emerge victorious. They collected the two points on the table and moved on, like true contenders do in these situations.

“We gave up very little,” Cassidy said. “They played a tight game. They’ve got a lot of young guys who are trying to stay in the NHL. One way to do it is to play good defense. The other way to do it is to light up the scoresheet, but the easiest way is to defend and be a part of a good team. That’s what they were trying to do. That’s their makeup over there. They did a good job with it. They didn’t give us much.

“When they did, their goaltender was there. It ends up being a more defensive-minded game on both sides. We didn’t seem to have the same pop we had this week. We talked about that. We might be a little emotionally not as invested, but again, enough to win. It’s too hard to win in this league to get picky. Of course, there’s stuff we’d like to do better. But at the end of the day, it’s two points. Now let’s get a day off and get ready for Carolina.”

The highlight of the night was Patrice Bergeron’s stunning backhand pass to Brad Marchand for a power-play goal just 2:37 into the game. Less than five minutes later, Marchand was granted a penalty shot that was stopped by Mackenzie Blackwood.

Midway through the third period, Tuukka Rask stopped Jesper Bratt’s breakaway attempt. In between, there was a whole lot of nothing.But while it was a essentially a one-shot game from the 2:37 mark on, this one never really felt like it was out of the Bruins’ control. After the quick goal, they quickly realized that it was going to be a slog, and they simply put their hip boots on and got to work.

“We’ve done a good job of staying within the games that we’re playing,” Bergeron said. “We’re trying not to get frustrated and we’re trying to build our game and find ways. If it’s going to be a 1-0 game, then so be it, and we play the right way and make sure we take care of every puck we have so we don’t turn it over.

“Obviously you want to extend leads, but when it’s one of those games, you have to close defensively and be smart.”

If the Bruins go on to win the Stanley Cup, this game will be completely forgotten. Well, actually, it will be forgotten as soon as they drop the puck for Tuesday’s game against Carolina.

But while the win against Tampa Bay said a lot about the B’s skill level, the victory spoke more to the team’s character. And as this 82-game 1134076 Boston Bruins

Bruins blank Devils, stretch points streak to 16 games

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 9:29 pm | UPDATED: March 3, 2019 at 12:25 am

After a loss to the Devils near the end of December, the Bruins looked like they lacked identity. That loss followed a listless effort in Carolina before the holiday break. At that point in the season, there were more questions than answers.

It’s tough to pinpoint one specific wakeup call this season, but after falling to the Devils, the B’s plowed past Buffalo in overtime and won a Winter Classic that at the time was their best effort of the campaign.

On Saturday against the Devils at the Garden, the Bruins fielded a different team with a different attitude and won, 1-0, to extend their points streak to 16 games (12-0-4).

“We gave up very little,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “They played a tight game, they’ve got a lot of young guys trying to stay in the NHL, and one way to do it is to play good defense. … They didn’t give us much. When they did, their goaltending was there, and it ends up being a more defensive-minded game on both sides.”

Brad Marchand scored the only goal, and Tuukka Rask made 20 saves for the B’s, who did not lose in regulation in February and started March on the right note.

They’ve had to win in many different ways during the streak, from a 6-5 overtime shootout in San Jose to blowout wins against the Ducks and Kings to Saturday’s one-goal affair. It’s another feather in the cap of a team that has learned to win in any situation.

“We didn’t seem to have the same pop we did this week,” Cassidy said. “We talked about that, emotionally we might be not as invested, but enough to win. It’s too hard to win in this league to be picky.”

It took just 14 seconds on their first power play for the Bruins to jump ahead. Marchand took a no-look feed from Patrice Bergeron and fired it past Mackenzie Blackwood (29 saves) with 17:23 left in the first frame.

Marchand had a chance to extend the lead on a penalty shot with 12:44 to go in the opening period. He was hauled down by Damon Severson, who had turned the puck over at his offensive blueline. Marchand couldn’t get it to go 5-hole on Blackwood, dropping to 4-of-7 in his career in penalty shots.

After a stagnant second period, Rask was challenged a bit more in the third, but overall the Bruins controlled the pace of the game.

The Bruins took just two penalties and the Devils one, but it was costly as it resulted in the goal.

Peter Cehlarik, back up on another AHL recall, started the game on the third line with Charlie Coyle and David Backes, but by the third period, Marchand, former Devils forward Marcus Johansson and Danton Heinen were slotting in on the left side of that line.

“There were a few things we didn’t like,” Cassidy said of Cehlarik’s game.

For the third straight game, the Bruins kept an opponent’s shot total low, even when they were chasing the B’s in the score. The Devils had just 14 shots entering the third period and finished with 20, after the Bruins held the Sharks to 20 and the Lightning to 21 in their previous two contests.

The win also extended Rask’s personal points streak to 17 games, and it was his third shutout in that stretch. It’s the B’s second 1-0 win after pulling it off in Washington at the start of February.

“Of course there’s stuff we’d like to be better,” Cassidy said. “But at the end of the day, it’s two points.”

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Bruins notebook: Brandon Carlo benefits from healthy season

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 6:48 pm | UPDATED: March 3, 2019 at 12:06 am

The past two seasons ended in heartbreak for Brandon Carlo.

While there’s still time for disaster, the 22-year-old is looking for a happier ending as the Bruins make a surge toward the postseason.

Carlo missed time in November but has rebounded strong, serving as one of the cogs of a defensive corps that has seen all of its depth tested.

He got a scare on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he took a puck off the wrist and left the contest with two minutes left, but he dodged a bullet.

With everything he’s been through, he’s grateful for more time to complete the season.

“Overall you just try to stay composed and let the training staff and doctors do what they do,” he said. “I felt pretty good.”

Carlo has contributed to the Bruins’ 16-game points streak with three assists. He played 22:34 in Saturday night’s 1-0 win against the Devils, and defensively he’s been a rock.

That’s to be expected with the role he plays for the club. But he’s gotten a bit more aggressive on the offensive side as he’s had more of a chance to play consistently.

Some of that also comes from his partner.

“(Torey Krug) moves the puck up really well, so that gives me the opportunity to get up behind the play and use my skating ability to get there,” Carlo said. “Picking and choosing times to join the rush, and the times to allow Torey to do his thing. Preferably we would have him on the three-man-rush and I can stay back, but he’s helpful (for improving offense).”

In just his third NHL season, Carlo is still learning and developing all areas of his game. He’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season and has to be a priority for the Bruins with the way his game has evolved when healthy.

The past couple of months have been a firsthand look at what he can do when he strings games together for an extended period.

“It’s important, especially in the NHL when you play so many games, to have that consistency on a nightly basis,” he said. “It’s something I’ve really tried to work on this year as opposed to my first two years. It’s something I’ve really started to get a grasp on a little bit more just by being mentally prepared and preparing my body.”

Cehlarik up and down

With the additions of Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle, Peter Cehlarik has been the odd man out. Injuries and other occurrences have led to him bouncing up and down, but he got a chance to Saturday night and had three shots in 8:54 of ice time.

“You have to stay mentally ready,” he said. “You have to be ready until you get the call. I’ve been practicing, just always being mentally ready.”

Injury updates

David Pastrnak skated on Saturday, despite the team not skating as a whole, but there’s no update until he’s out of a cast.

Sean Kuraly missed Saturday because of a concussion and Kevan Miller remains out with his upper-body injury.

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Bruins still have things to accomplish in regular season

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 6:09 pm | UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 6:11 PM

After the the Bruins’ dismantling of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, fans and even media types can be forgiven if they’d like to skip the last remaining regular season games and go right to the playoffs. The B’s did announce to the rest of the league on Thursday that they are indeed legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

But there is some important work to be done the rest of the way, starting with nailing down home ice advantage against their likely first-round opponent, the . Now home ice is not the be-all-end- all, and we’ve all witnessed plenty of playoff disappointments on Garden ice. The pressure to win the first two games on home ice can even be a burden. But I’d still take Game 7 at home every time.

Think back to last year’s Game 7 against Toronto and the third-period comeback it took for the Bruins to prevail. And think of the historic comeback against the Maple Leafs in 2013.

Now ask yourself, do the Bruins win those Game 7s if they’re played in Toronto? The answer here would be a resounding ‘no,’ underscoring the importance of these last 18 games of the regular season, especially the ones right now.

The B’s are in the midst of six-game home stand and they have to make some hay, because it’s going to be a tough road the rest of the way. Of the remaining 14 games after this homestand, 10 of them are on the road and they won’t be easy. They’ve got Pittsburgh, Columbus (twice) and Minnesota, all three of whom are desperate for points for their respective playoff lives. They visit first-place teams in Winnipeg, the Islanders and Tampa Bay (I think the B’s have gotten the Bolts’ attention now), as well as a Florida team that will miss the playoffs but has given the B’s fits the last couple of years.

While the B’s win over Tampa had many folks starting to believe they could actually beat the behemoth that is the Lightning in a seven-game series, there is business to be taken care of before they’d get a shot at facing the Bolts. That business, most likely, will be the Leafs. The B’s have taken the season series against Toronto, 3-1, and could have easily swept the Leafs. But Toronto, flawed though it may be on the back end, is an explosive offensive team that can beat anyone.

And consider this. The B’s have been as hot as any team in the league over the last month. They went into Saturday’s game against the Devils riding a 15-game point streak (11-0-4). And yet they couldn’t shake the Leafs, who were still in striking distance just three points back to start the night.

The B’s also have a few things to figure out once Davd Pastrnak returns, presumably in a couple of weeks. Does the sniper go right back on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand – which seems like the obvious thing to do – or does Bruce Cassidy get more creative. He could keep Danton Heinen there, move Pastrnak to the David Krejci line and drop down Marcus Johansson, who can play the left, to coax some more scoring out of the Charlie Coyle-David Backes line. And just how much of a role can the aging Backes play in the every-other-night environment of the playoffs?

There is also a question of rest for the top guns. It is an issue that can be overrated at times, but not for this team in its current state and the advancing age of its core. It’s no coincidence that this 15-game point streak has come immediately after the B’s bye week. Heading into the bye, they posted an uninspiring 2-3-1 mark in their last half dozen, with the Bergeron line, which carried much of the burden of scoring for most of the season, looking particularly gassed at that time.

All of that brings us back to the significance of taking care of business now, especially with these home games.

The B’s have a chance of making this a special season. But they can’t get too far ahead of themselves. That’s our job. 1134079 Boston Bruins 1. San Jose Sharks — The Sharks are a very good team. They can score with the best of them while both their goalies, Martin Jones and Aaron Dell, are under .900 in save percentage. So what did they do? They go NHL Notebook: Winners and losers of the trade deadline out and get another scorer, Gustav Nyquist. The former Red Wing came at a decent price – second (2019) and a conditional third (2020) rounder – and he might have looked good in a Bruin uniform as well. But, say, Keith Kinkaid, gotten by Columbus from New Jersey for a 2022 fifth By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald rounder, would have been worth a try. March 2, 2019 at 3:00 PM 2. Dallas Stars — OK, so this is unfair because they did get Zuccarello at a reasonable price. But after the B’s were last year’s example of what a gamble deadline rentals can be when Rick Nash could only give them With the trade deadline finally behind us, we can now get down to two good weeks before he suffered another concussion, the Stars business. Some teams improved. Some improved, but not enough. One watched Zuccarello break his arm in his first game for Dallas. He’s out for (Tampa Bay Lightning) did nothing and are still the favorite to raise the at least four weeks, and the Stars are no lock to make the playoffs. Stanley Cup in June, no matter what happened on at the Garden last Thursday. Columbus Blue Jackets – GM Jarmo Kekalainen decided to use UFAs- to-be Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, who most likely will not sign But that doesn’t mean the Bolts will win it all. A few teams gave with them in he offseason, as his own rentals. Then he went out and got themselves a fighting chance at the deadline and, in this sport, that’s all a bunch of other rentals. They got Ryan Dzingel for Anthony Duclair and you need. Here’s our annual look at winners, losers and other trade two seconds (2020, 21), Matt Duchene for their 2019 first and 2020 deadline entities. conditional first and two prospects, and Adam McQuaid for a fourth and seventh. The Jackets have just a third rounder and seventh rounder in Winners June’s draft. If the Jackets win the Stanley Cup, it’s great. Anything less Vegas Golden Knights — George McPhee has set the bar awfully high is a disaster. And they’ve got their work cut out for them just to make the for the management team of the incoming Seattle franchise. Last year his playoffs. team went to the Stanley Cup Finals in its first year f existence. His team Nothing wrong with some old fashioned passion like we saw Nassau is playoff-bound again this year, and he made the deadline acquisition Coliseum for the return of John Tavares to Long Island. If only all the that could tip the balance of power in west in his favor again. He had to hate was directed at someone who deserved it. Tavares, the longtime give up one of the top prospects in the world in defenseman Erik Islander captain who returned on Thursday as a member of the Toronto Brannstrom (plus journeyman forward Oscar Lindberg and a 2020 Maple Leafs, was showered with belittling chants, some more clever than second round pick) for Mark Stone, a star two-way, productive forward in others, and one fan even threw an old Islander sweater at him at the end his prime. McPhee then opened the vault for Stone, giving him in eight- of warmups. year extension worth $9.5 million. That kind of contract would have been hard to fit on a lot of contenders, including the Bruins, but its not too The fact of the matter is that those fans should have been expressing onerous a deal for the Knights. their gratitude that Tavares even included the Isles in his group of teams he spoke with before signing with his hometown Leafs. The Islanders are Bruins — I know, I know, everyone in their right mind wanted Stone. clearly on the right path with GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz Some people stuck in 2016 even wanted Wayne Simmonds. But Don but I have a hard time imagining why any top free agent would want to Sweeney held on to all but one of his top prospects (Ryan Donato) as play for the Isles right now while they wait for their future home to be well as his first round picks and still managed to fill the two holes that built. were staring at him all season. The upgrade at third line center was immediately noticeable with the addition of strong-armed local boy Ice chips Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson has the skill to play in the top six. Sweeney made his team better, held on to most of his assets and Coyle • Good for Conor Garland. Many thought the Scituate native was too has another year left on his deal. Not sexy, but not bad at all. small (5-10, 165 pounds) and not fast enough to make up for it to play in the NHL. But not only has he popped in a dozen goals in 36 games for Nashville Predators — They gave up 22-year-old Kevin Fiala and that will the Coyotes, he was given a two-deal with Arizona last week. He’s been hurt them down the road, but right now Mikael Granlund is a bigger a part of the Coyotes surprising push for a playoff spot in the west. impact player and it’s all about the here and now for the Preds. Granlund also is locked in for another year at $5.75 million while Fiala, an RFA, will • On Monday, Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion, after trading away most of his be up for his second contract. The Preds may have overpaid for Brian established talent, said: “Guy (Boucher) is our coach. I don’t think anyone Boyle with a second round pick but he’ll help now. The question here is will disagree with me on this one that I’ve probably made his job pretty whether giving up Ryan Hartman, a solid young bottom six player, and a difficult the last few weeks, and we’re going to support him.” 2020 fourth rounder for the aging Simmonds. But with the former Flyer’s On Friday, Dorion fired Boucher. It might have been the most supportive positive history with Peter Laviolette, it is worth a try. thing the GM could have done for Boucher. New York Rangers — Jeff Gorton keeps adding high-end assets as he But it’s great to see old friend Chris Kelly being added to interim coach continues his rebuild while the coach he hired, David Quinn, is keeping Marc Crawford’s staff. As a player, Kelly always had a keen bull crap the Blueshirts competitive every night. He got a first round pick (the only detector and his input could be invaluable to the organization as it starts one to move on deadline day) and interesting young forward Brendan its rebuild. Lemieux for Kevin Hayes from Winnipeg, conditional second and thirds from Dallas for Mats Zuccarello, and a fourth and seventh plus prospect defenseman Julius Bergman for Adam McQuaid. He’ll have five picks in the first two rounds this June. Boston Herald LOADED: 03.03.2019

Meh

1. — The Habs were expected to be vying for a high lottery pick, so anything after making the playoffs is gravy. The conservative approach was probably the best for . But his acquisitions of Jordan Weal, Nate Thompson and didn’t move the needle much. Then again, if they somehow manage to match up against the Bruins somewhere along the way, all three of those players will be stars in the series, of course.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs — The pick-up of Jake Muzzin – for a first round pick and a couple of prospects – was a good one. Muzzin was exactly what they needed. Trouble is, they needed more of it.

Losers 1134080 Boston Bruins

Bruins pregame notes: Marching into a new month against New Jersey

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

March 2, 2019 at 2:12 PM

With 15 straight games with a point, plus a February without a regulation loss, behind them, the Bruins look ahead to a busy March with a dance with the Devils first in line.

New Jersey has struggled to the point of being sellers at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, with the Bruins as direct benefactors, adding Marcus Johansson.

“I think it’s gonna be a little weird,” said Johansson. “Obviously made a lot of good friendships. It’s gonna be weird, but I got to do it when I got to Jersey and played Washington, so I kind of know the feeling a little bit, but it’s gonna be a little odd at first.”

The Devils handed the Bruins one of their worst losses of the season back in December, a 5-2 loss on the heels of a bad loss in Carolina that actually seemed to send the Bruins forward.

They had a losing streak in January, but the B’s won in Buffalo before a Winter Classic victory following that Devils loss, and that’s when things seemed to start to come together.

On Saturday night, it won’t exactly come full-circle for the Bruins, regardless of the outcome. They’re in second place in the East — and more importantly for now, the Atlantic — with three points more than Toronto. The results of their winning streak still has the Lightning ahead by 17 points, but the Bruins are more focused on continuing to mold an identity for postseason success.

March will provide the Bruins 15 more chances to rack up the points, something they’ve gotten good at of late. The Devils are just the start of another clean slate.

As noted on the Bruins Reddit page and then made popular by Twitter, Brad Marchand is playing in his 666th career game against, of all teams, the Devils on Saturday night. He also has 666 career penalty minutes.

Tuukka Rask will get his second consecutive start in net after earning the win against the Lightning on Thursday night.

Since the start of his own 16-game point streak, Rask has put up strong numbers; 1.99 GAA, .931 save percentage, and two shutouts.

The rest of the lineup stays the same, aside from Sean Kuraly out with concussion symptoms and Peter Cehlarik back up after being sent to Providence before the game against Tampa Bay.

Noel Acciari remains in with the fishbowl, and Kevan Miller is still out with an upper-body injury. Yesterday Cassidy said he might miss more time than anticipated.

The Devils (25-32-8) lost the last two games of their three-game homstand before their one-off game in Boston, most recently a 6-3 loss to the Flyers.

New Jersey has allowed the second-most goals in the league with 219. Their .893 save percentage is the third worst in the league.

However, their power play percentage of 83.7 is the third best in the NHL. They have allowed nine shorthanded goals, but have scored eight in their own right.

The Devils have a laundry list of injuries, from Taylor Hall to Kyle Palmieri to Miles Wood. Of their active players, Nico Hischier leads the team with 44 points and Blake Coleman leads the way with 18 tallies.

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Peter Cehlarik hits bench for getting away from playing 'the Bruins Way'

By Joe Haggerty

March 02, 2019 11:50 PM

BOSTON – The Bruins continue to win games and gather points, and that is the ultimate goal for any hockey club.

But they’re also still trying to figure out the best combinations down the stretch and into the playoffs, and Saturday night’s 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden was no different in that respect. Rookie winger Peter Cehlarik got a look on the third line as the left wing with Charlie Coyle and David Backes, and in the first period the trio actually didn’t look bad as a big, strong, puck possession group capable of pressuring defenses and creating offense.

Unfortunately for Cehlarik, that didn’t last for the full game and he ended up hitting the bench for long stretches of the second and third periods of Boston’s one-goal win over the Devils. Cehlarik finished with a team-low 8:54 of ice time and his coach made it clear afterward that it was about the way the 6-foot-2 power forward was playing.

“He’s here in the NHL. He’s earned his right to be in the lineup. I think we’ve used him up in the lineup with [David] Krejci. We’ve used him with Charlie Coyle, two very good players,” said Bruce Cassidy, who said the benching was because of "his routes, responsibility away from the puck and managed it at the end of the second period in your own end."

“So I think at some point the responsibility falls on the player to be ready to play, and play the Bruins way. I thought he got away from that a little bit, so that’s it.

“Only he can answer whether he’s frustrated or [tired from] the travel. It’s certainly not the hour travel [from Providence]. Maybe the fact that he got sent down might have bothered him. I don’t know, I can’t answer that. We made some decisions at the deadline to – as much as for roster purposes than anything. We got past that. He got called up because he deserves to be here, and tonight we just made a decision to just cut back and use other people.”

Cehlarik did finish with three shots on net and a couple of scoring chances in the first period and has four goals and 16 points in 15 games, so the potential is most definitely there for his offense. That goes doubly so when teamed with fellow big-bodied forwards in Coyle and Backes, but now it’s up to the 22-year-old Cehlarik to bring some youthful energy and enthusiasm to a line that could really wear down opponents.

Cassidy and the B’s coaching staff clearly issues a challenge to Cehlarik based on their actions in the narrow win over the Devils, and now they wait for their young power forward to respond with his next opportunity in Black and Gold.

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Bruce Cassidy on Ryan Donato's hot start with Minnesota Wild: 'Sometimes it's about a better fit'

By Joe Haggerty

March 02, 2019 6:41 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – Ryan Donato is off to a strong start with the Minnesota Wild after getting traded there for Charlie Coyle ahead of the deadline and that predictably has Bruins fans in a tizzy. The fact Coyle doesn’t have a point in three games yet for the Black and Gold also doesn’t allow for a comparable favor from the Boston end while the 22- year-old Donato has one goal and six points in four games thus far for the Wild.

Still, Coyle has stabilized the third line in three games with Boston and brings the Bruins the kind of size, strength and experience in the middle that they just weren’t going to get from a left shot skill player like Donato.

Donato only had nine points in 34 games for the Bruins this season prior to the trade, but the sudden rush of offense for another team brings back memories of the Bruins trading away young gifted scorers like Tyler Seguin and Phil Kessel ahead of their prime years. There’s a big difference between Donato and those other two names, of course. The former Harvard star wasn’t a top-10 selection in the first round and isn’t expected to have the kind of All-Star level careers that either of those two former Bruins have since getting dealt.

Still, the kneejerk reaction from Bruins fans was to take the B’s to task for trading away a raw, young offensive talent like Donato. It remains to be seen how it plays out this season for both teams, but Donato also fed the fire a bit with his comments after his first game in Minnesota.

“They just said, ‘Go and play,’ and that’s when I think I’m at my best when (coaches) have the confidence in me and they let me play,” said Donato after first game with the Wild, per The Athletic’s Michael Russo. “It’s been awhile since the coaches have had a lot of confidence in me to play me in all situations.”

Clearly there was some frustrated from Donato's end about spending time on Boston's fourth line when he was up with the Bruins, and a second AHL tour with the P-Bruins this season. So Donato's comments certainly seemed aimed at least in part toward the Bruins coaching staff.

B’s head coach Bruce Cassidy was asked what crossed his mind when he hears comments like that from a player that just left the organization.

“I take pride in every player that comes through here…the young guys. I’ve always said that Ryan was a good hockey player and I believe he’ll be an NHL player. Was he the best fit on our team? Could we give him the same minutes in the same situations?” said Cassidy, when asked about it after Friday’s Bruins practice. "I think he’s been on the power play and doing well playing the half-wall. Am I going to give him that job instead of [Brad Marchand]? I’m not. Our power play is good.

“Sometimes it’s just about a better fit. But all the way through I think we’ve done a good job developing players here. If Ryan goes on and never looks back, well then we started his development and there’s a certain level of pride there. His comments are what they are, but I wish him well. We’re happy to have Charlie [Coyle] in our lineup and I think it’s a good trade for both teams. Those are usually the ones that are good. Charlie has made us better and if Ryan makes Minnesota better, that’s the way it’s supposed to work.”

Time will tell just how much the Bruins will regret cutting out early on Donato as a player, and how much the gifted Coyle is going to contribute over the next couple of seasons. But it doesn’t sound like the B’s have any regrets right now even if Donato has gone on a points spree since arriving in Minnesota with the Wild.

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Brad Marchand's career stats entering B's-Devils couldn't be more fitting

By Darren Hartwell

March 02, 2019 5:50 PM

We all knew Brad Marchand was no angel, but this is downright freaky.

Marchand enters Saturday with 665 career games played, meaning his next contest will be his 666th. And guess who's coming to TD Garden on Saturday night? The New Jersey ... Devils.

Oh, and did we mention Marchand has accrued exactly 666 career penalty minutes (good for 35th on the NHL's all-time list among active players)?

Brad Marchand has 666 career PIM. He plays his 666th career game tomorrow ... against the Devils.

Props to Reddit's r/Bruins page for finding this crazy coincidence, which of course happened to a once-described "little ball of hate" whose game easily could be characterized as devilish. (No word on if Miroslav Satan is coming out of retirement for this one.)

Serendipity aside, most of the focus at TD Garden will be on new Bruins winger Marcus Johansson, who faces New Jersey just five days after the Devils traded him to Boston ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The B's also will look to extend their point streak to 16 games, as the hottest team in the NHL hasn't lost in regulation since January.

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New Bruins winger Charlie Coyle believes 'things will open up' for third line after slow start

By Joe Haggerty

March 02, 2019 12:46 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – It’s been three games for Charlie Coyle since being traded to the Bruins, and it’s clear his experienced, two-way presence makes their third line a much more dangerous, well-rounded and effective trio.

Unfortunately for the new guy, it hasn’t manifested into any points as of yet with Coyle going scoreless in his first three games with the B’s and no shots on net until he landed a couple in the Thursday night win over the Lightning. It’s only a three-game spell for the Coyle, 26, but overall it’s been a bit of a drier offensive stretch for the kid from Weymouth. He’s gone 10 games without a point and finished February with just a goal and two points, along with a minus-3 rating, between his time with Boston and Minnesota.

Some of that could be attributable to the stress of the trade deadline and the knowledge he was probably going to get dealt. Now, Coyle is getting settled in Boston, getting to know his linemates whether it’s David Backes, Joakim Nordstrom or Peter Cehlarik, and getting the sense that the offense is coming.

“I think it has gotten better. I think it’s becoming natural for me, as far as the system and linemates, and knowing their tendencies. It’s still a work in progress, which it always will be. But I think I’m starting to get my game and everything is better as I’m getting situated here,” said Coyle. “I knew what Backes brought because I’ve watched him for years, and we were kind of compared to each other in my draft year. He brings a similar-type style. I played against Nordy, but Pete I didn’t really know much about.

“We had some chances in the St. Louis game and I think we need to just get back to that with the simple style. I think things will open up with the puck playing with two big guys. We’ve just got to take pucks to the net and crash it. We’re going to get one. It seems like our line is due for one. We’re getting the opportunities, which is a good sign. We just need to cash in now.”

Coyle helped set up Backes for several scoring attempts in the win over San Jose and he had one dominant shift in his first game vs. St. Louis where he carried defenders while using his 6-foot-3 size to cycle the puck around the offensive zone. Coyle’s coach liked the way his line played in the win over Tampa Bay with Coyle hard on the puck, Backes getting in an early fight that energized his team and Nordstrom bringing his steady veteran presence.

“I thought Charlie Coyle was hard on the puck [against Tampa Bay], possessed it well. Backs [David Backes] gets in the scrap early. [He] lets them know we’re not going to get pushed around. Nordy [Joakim Nordstrom] was on pucks, so I thought both lines were excellent,” said Bruce Cassidy, who said Cehlarik will draw back in for third line duty while Sean Kuraly is out with a concussion. “And we need that. We need that. Whether you call it secondary scoring or them bringing their "A" games in terms of the physicality, the checking, wearing the other team down and setting the table for the next couple of lines, and eventually we got our goals.”

Now it’s time for Coyle to start turning that potential into points as the guy he was traded for, Ryan Donato, has already begun putting up points with the Wild after hitting a stagnant point with the Bruins organization. The B’s could certainly use the secondary offense and Coyle could use the jump start to his offensive game after already showing a glimpse of what he should be able to do for a third line that struggled mightily prior to his arrival.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134085 Boston Bruins A quick look at the remaining schedule — 17 games in 33 days — suggests, however, that any chance a player gets to take a breather he’s going to take it, especially with the Bruins serious Stanley Cup ‘Rest is a weapon’: How the Bruins will manage their starters’ time down contenders. the home stretch “It doesn’t get any easier in the playoffs, so obviously when you do have those days it’s nice to be able to take them, rest the body and make the most of it,” Bergeron said. “It’s something Don (Sweeney) and Butch By Joe McDonald have talked to me about it and stay on top of it. You want to be out there as much as you can every day and every night, but it’s also beneficial Mar 2, 2019 this time of the year.”

Fortunately for the Bruins, they have organizational depth at forward and Most NHL coaches would agree that if Zdeno Chara played on their defense, which should allow them to keep the starters a little fresher. team, they would find ways to rest the 41-year-old defenseman down the For example: It’s likely the Bruins will recall Lee Stempniak from stretch to have him at peak performance during the . Providence and take him on one of the next two road trips. The veteran Chara disagrees. forward has been with the team since training camp on a PTO and he finally signed a deal for the remainder of the season Feb. 24. In case of “I hate it,” he said. “I want to play every game; that’s my job. I love to play injuries or subpar performances in the playoffs, it’s possible Stempniak every game and taking unnecessary games off, and right before the could be thrust into the lineup, so the team wants to give him a look playoffs, is the worst thing you can have.” during the regular season.

Chara breaks it down this way: If he’s held out one or two of the last “At some point hopefully we have the luxury to do that,” Cassidy said. couple of games of the regular season, it could be a week or more “We wouldn’t mind seeing what Lee has to offer at some point; just between games for him, which doesn’t bode well for his playoff couldn’t tell you when.” readiness, according to the Bruins captain. With Sean Kuraly sidelined with a concussion, Cassidy had the chance to “Then you jump into another level of speed and emotions and I don’t like insert Peter Cehlarik into the lineup Saturday. The coach has generally (having time off),” he said. “Nobody likes to wait seven, eight, or nine liked the young forward’s game this season when given the opportunity, days between games. If you miss 10 days due to some minor injury, it but his miscues are adding up, which could reopen the door for rookie takes you two to three games to get back into it. I personally don’t like it, Karson Kuhlman, who played well during his recent four-game stint in and it’s my job to be in shape and my job to be ready, and I’m always Boston before his reassignment to Providence. doing my best to be at that level and where I need to be without getting days off.” From a goaltending standpoint, Cassidy said he will go with a 60/40 split down the stretch, with Rask getting the majority of the games. He With 87 points, the Bruins are in great shape to claim a playoff spot, but improved to 22-8-5 this season and has earned points in his last 17 have virtually no chance of catching the top-seeded Tampa Bay games, including a 14-0-3 record in that span. Jaroslav Halak has been Lightning. That puts them in position to throttle back and prepare their solid too. The backup is 4-0-2 in his last six games. The goaltending players for the looming playoffs. After Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the tandem is doing its job, which is a big reason why the Bruins are in the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden, the Bruins have 17 regular-season midst of a 16-game point streak. games remaining in 2018-19. Due to a knee injury earlier this season, Chara has played only 46 games. “It’s been great so far and I’m sure we’re going to keep it going and keep both guys fresh,” Rask said. When Claude Julien was behind Boston’s bench, he would attempt to manage Chara’s ice time, but it wasn’t always the easiest task. The The Bruins’ overall depth is wearing down the opposition during this point veteran defenseman has routinely averaged more than 23 minutes per streak and Boston is hitting its stride. Since the team has been receiving game during his career. This season, it’s a bit less at 20 minutes. contributions from throughout the organization, and is separating itself in the standings, Cassidy could soon make more decisions about the “I did it in the past and, to be honest, it hurt me more than it helped me,” importance of rest. It’ll be a big ask if he approaches the captain, though. Chara said. “I did it with Claude and I hated it.”

Bruce Cassidy has always said he would leave that decision to Chara. Unless it’s obvious the captain is struggling, then the coach would have The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 the discussion about maybe sitting a game or two. In fact, Cassidy met with the veteran core Friday morning to discuss the stretch run. At this point of the season, game-day morning skates will become increasingly optional and practices will be shorter than the normal 45-minute session.

Cassidy understands bad habits can creep into a player’s game if he’s spending too much time on the ice when he’s tired and banged up.

“We’re trying to manage it,” Cassidy said.

Players are also taking more maintenance days at this point of the season. In the past, players like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand would still be on the practice ice more often than not when given the option, but these days they’re more likely to take the day off.

Marchand says he would rather skate the day before the game than the morning of a game, because he believes he’d be wasting energy.

“The game is so much harder now than it was five years ago,” he said. “It’s just so fast and you need to have your energy every single night. You need to feel as close to 100 percent as you can and it’s a lot harder going into games feeling 70 or 80 percent and really competing at your best. Rest is a weapon. It’s a big thing nowadays, so you’re seeing more guys take advantage of that than they did in the past.”

Bergeron has taken a few more maintenance days this season than he has in the past. As far as taking a game off down the stretch, there’s no way that’s going to happen for the alternate captain.

“Yes, I am opposed to that,” he said with a laugh. 1134086 Buffalo Sabres Additionally, the Maple Leafs pushed the lead to two goals when Montour was unable to move Zach Hyman from in front of the net.

Shots on goal were 16-2 in favor of Buffalo during the first 14 minutes of 'Simple' mistakes slow Sabres in another loss to the Maple Leafs the third period, and Rodrigues nearly cut the deficit to one when his wrist shot went through Andersen's leg pads.

By Lance Lysowski "We’re not going to quit, Pominville continued. "We know that we have to get every point that we can. I thought we threw everything at them. Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019 Unfortunately, we weren’t able to put one in. Definitely had some looks. Again, not a lot of puck luck in the third. I don’t think it was for a lack of

effort or execution." TORONTO -- All Casey Mittelstadt and Marco Scandella could do was Marner scored an empty-net goal with 1:57 remaining in regulation to watch as Rasmus Ristolainen lost the puck behind the Buffalo Sabres' secure the Leafs' first four-game winning streak over the Sabres since net, and no one alerted them that Nic Petan was skating alone toward 1972. More important, the Sabres have lost nine of their last 13 games Linus Ullmark. and have only 13 wins in 40 games since their winning streak ended. Trevor Moore fired a quick pass to the slot, where Petan dropped to one The same problems that have followed the Sabres all season are knee and shot over Ullmark's glove to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a preventing them from gaining any sort of traction, and they are in one-goal lead in the second period and provoke a roaring standing jeopardy of becoming only the second team in NHL history to miss the ovation in Scotiabank Arena. playoffs after a 10-game winning streak. The Sabres never recovered. Though Buffalo pelted 20 shots on goal in "It’s just simple stuff that kills us," said Eichel. the third period, the Maple Leafs scored with the net empty to secure a 5- 2 win Saturday night. The final 20 minutes were no consolation to coach or his players. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 After all, the Sabres (30-27-8) are desperate for points -- they are nine back of the second wild-card playoff spot with 17 games remaining -- and have not won back-to-back games since Dec. 13.

"I’m not going to beat around the bush: it’s disappointing that we didn’t get the result," Housley lamented. "We didn’t meet our standard tonight. ... These guys have fought and battled together, and fought for each other in the third period. We get one goal it changes the complexion of the game, but the bottom line is we didn’t get the result at this time of the year."

Buffalo managed to complete a come-from-behind overtime victory over Pittsburgh Friday night, despite allowing 20 shots on goal in the first period and the Penguins having lost only two games when leading after two periods.

The Sabres were unable to get away with such poor defensive play against the Maple Leafs (40-21-4), who improved to 31-0 when leading after two periods despite having only 16 shots on goal over the final 40 minutes.

Following Petan's one-timer goal, Nikita Zaitsev pushed Toronto's lead to two when his shot from the blue line ricocheted off Brandon Montour's skate and past Ullmark with 55 seconds left in the second period.

"Tonight they were better than us," Jack Eichel said bluntly.

John Tavares poked a rebound over the goalline to open scoring 4:20 into the first period because Ullmark was unaware he did not have the puck covered following a spectacular save on Mitch Marner.

The Sabres silenced the crowd when Jason Pominville and Conor Sheary scored 94 seconds apart in the first period to take a 2-1 lead, and they had the opportunity to add an insurance goal when Marner was penalized for slashing with 14:08 remaining.

Buffalo failed to score on the power play and momentum quickly swung in Toronto's favor. Evan Rodrigues mistakenly pushed into Ullmark, preventing the Sabres goalie from attempting a glove save on Morgan Rielly's shot from the blue line and the puck ended up in the back of the net with only 20 seconds remaining in the first period to tie the score, 2-2.

"We did some good things," Pominville said. "We were able to get the lead, play with it for a little bit. But tough to give one up at the end of the period. ... I just feel like the breaks right now aren’t going our way. We have to find a way and dig a little deeper. Obviously it hasn’t been a fun stretch for anyone, but we have to look at the positives."

The Sabres didn't play poorly in the second period, either. Jeff Skinner nearly gave Buffalo the lead with a breakaway, only for his shot to be stopped by Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen, who finished with 35 saves.

For the second time in one week, Housley noted that his players failed to communicate in the defensive zone, leading to Petan's go-ahead goal. 1134087 Buffalo Sabres

Amerks back in first place alone after win over Crunch

By Staff

Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019

Rochester pulled back in front of the Syracuse for first place in the North Division of the with a 5-3 triumph over the Crunch on Saturday at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse. It was the first of two weekend games between the teams. The teams will meet at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

Taylor Leier scored twice for the Amerks in the victory giving him five goals in 16 games with Rochester since he was acquired from in exchange for Justin Bailey on Jan. 17.

Leier scored a short-handed goal to give Rochester the llead at 3:40 of the opening period. C.J. Smith and William Borgen had assists on the goal.

Alexander Nylander scored unassisted just 10 seconds into the second period to make it 2-0. It was his ninth of the season but first since Jan. 4, a span of 14 games.

Mitchell Stephens' power-play goal for Syracuse made it 2-1 at 11:53, but Leier scored his second of the game and 15th AHL goal of the season to make it 3-1 at 13:43.

Stephens answered with another goal at 9:37 of the third, but Victor Olofsson and Smith tallied for the Amerks to make it 5-2. Ross Colton scored for Syracuse with the man advantage with 1:16 left.

Rochester (35-27-5) leads Syracuse (34-17-5) by two points in the standings. Sunday's game will be the third in three days for the Crunch, which moved into a tie for first with a 4-0 victory on Friday on home ice against Lehigh Valley.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134088 Buffalo Sabres

The Wraparound: Maple Leafs 5, Sabres 2

By Lance Lysowski

Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019

TORONTO — Phil Housley is sick of losing, no matter the opponent. He made that abundantly clear Saturday afternoon when asked about the Buffalo Sabres potentially losing four straight games to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since 1972.

Housley responded to the question with the cliche of wanting to focus on the next game, not the Sabres' previous three losses to their bitter rival. However, the problems that have plagued his team against the Maple Leafs reared their ugly head hours later in Scotiabank Arena.

Two defensive breakdowns cost the Sabres two goals against in the second period, and the Maple Leafs held on for a 5-2 win. More important than a four-game skid against Toronto, the Sabres (30-27-8) failed to generate any momentum after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night and have not won back-to-back games since Dec. 13.

John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, Nic Petan, Nikita Zaitsev and Mitch Marner scored for Toronto (40-21-4), which suffered its most lopsided loss of the season, a 6-1 defeat, Thursday against the New York Islanders. Petan broke a 2-2 tie with his goal at 15:02 into the second period, and Zaitsev's shot went off Brandon Montour's skate and in for a 4-3 lead a little over four minutes later.

Jason Pominville and Conor Sheary scored one minute, 34 seconds apart to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead in the first period. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves while starting games on back-to-back days for the first time this season.

Opening salvo: Ullmark made an outstanding save on Marner's tip near the slot, only for Tavares to jam the rebound over the goal line for a 1-0 lead at 4:20 into the first period.

94 seconds: Pominville capitalizes on a loose puck in the crease for his 15th goal of the season with 14 minutes left in the first period.

Kyle Okposo then broke the puck out of the Sabres' zone by shooting it high into the air. The puck bounced into the Leafs' zone, where Sheary gained possession and beat Frederik Andersen with a quick shot from the slot. Sheary has six points in his last five games, including three goals in the past two games.

Late response: Toronto tied the score with 20 seconds remaining in the first period when Rielly's shot from the point snuck through Patrick Marleau's screen to beat Ullmark. Marleau bumped into Ullmark while Rielly wound up at the blue line, however, the Sabres chose to not challenge for goaltender interference.

Delay: In addition to a late start for the Sportsnet "Hockey night in " broadcast, opening faceoff did not occur until 7:23 p.m., because an arena employee noticed a cracked pane of glass behind the Sabres' net following both anthems. A crew rushed to change the glass and tested several neighboring pieces to ensure playing conditions were safe.

Warm welcome: Tavares, the subject of disdain for Islanders fans during his return to Long Island this week, received a roaring standing ovation from the crowd during pregame introductions, which were recited in reverse order to allow the crowd to embrace Tavares, who signed with the Maple Leafs last summer.

Injury: Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe left the game with an injury in the second period and did not return.

Next: The Sabres are not scheduled to practice Sunday and will hold a morning skate Monday ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers, who defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-0, Saturday.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134089 Buffalo Sabres Here's a point fans should know about Eichel. He takes losing as seriously as you can. He sits at his stall after games. If the media wants him, he's available. Just about any night of the season.

Mike Harrington: They kept teasing us but this loss is the end for the A guy like Rasmus Ristolainen should volunteer to take the heat once in Sabres his career. Eichel does it three times a week.

The Sabres finally crumbled in the final five minutes of the second period By Mike Harrington as Ristolainen, an alleged top-pair defenseman, was outworked for the puck by Trevor Moore and it was fed to newcomer Nic Petan for his first Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019 NHL goal of the season with either the Leafs or Winnipeg.

Ristolainen piled up another minus-2 night. That's minus-31 and counting, the worst figure of any player in the entire league. And yes, I TORONTO — Never mind. realize plus-minus is considered a dopey stat these days. But worst in That peek you took at the Buffalo Sabres Friday night? Left you the league remains worst in the league. wondering what-if, didn't it? There are moments in a career that can change a narrative. That goal There was a lot of euphoria in KeyBank Center after that overtime win feels like a coffin-nailer on Ristolainen's Buffalo career. Your top D man over the Pittsburgh Penguins. It kept the Sabres on the outskirts of the can't get toasted on the wall with the puck like that by a rookie fourth-line playoff race. Of course, they needed a winning streak and that required kid who's been with the Marlies most of the season. success here Saturday in Scotiabank Arena. For his part, Housley continues to not distinguish himself either and the Get a win here and maybe, just maybe, the Sabres find some glimmer of continued collapse is going to squarely put more focus on his status. It hope, get a streak going and stay in this thing. Especially with the seems crazy to fire yet another coach after two years but by the season schedule's degree of difficulty about to lighten up. finale April 6, Terry and Kim Pegula might have actually gone a few weeks without firing somebody and might have itchy trigger fingers again. Nope. Housley blew it when he didn't issue a goalie interference challenge on Their 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs was a horrible downer. Just too many Morgan Rielly's goal with 18.4 seconds left in the first period. Patrick things went wrong when chances were there to create a different Marleau was battling in front with Evan Rodrigues and might have been outcome. bumped toward the goalie but it seemed like his body contacted Linus Ullmark's glove. The Sabres can excuse-monger all they want. But the fact remains this season has been an embarrassment for more than three months. They're That could have been a huge challenge. The way those calls go, goals nine points out of the playoffs. are often wiped out. Instead, Housley took his timeout home on the bus with him. He said he didn't think it would be successful and he might want With no apologies to the point I made to Sam Reinhart a couple weeks that timeout late in the game. ago in New Jersey, they're toast. That's soft coaching too. The Wraparound: Maple Leafs 5, Sabres 2 What's left the rest of the season? Eichel is going for 30 goals and The Sabres are now 0-10-1 in their last 11 attempts to have a simple Skinner for 40. Rasmus Dahlin can pass for points by an 18- two-game winning streak. They're now 3-14-3 in their last 20 road year-old defenseman. Those three are worth watching for sure. games. Coach Phil Housley clearly dialed back on public criticism of his team after calling them "soft" following that ghastly loss to the New York Starting Monday against Edmonton, Housley should be cutting Rangers a couple weeks ago, but he wasn't wrong. Ristolainen's minutes down by 4-5 a night, giving some more to Dahlin and promising newcomer Brandon Montour. That was clearly said in anger after the defeat. You know what the old adage is: The immediate aftermath is often the truth serum. The Sabres should send Tage Thompson to Rochester immediately. He's barely been an NHL player much of the season and isn't suited for any The Sabres have lost four in a row to the Leafs. To their No. 1 rival. For sort of serious game now. One problem is Vladimir Sobotka is still hurt the first time since 1971-72. That humilation clearly doesn't register and they may not want to call up any forwards from Rochester while the enough with too many of these players. Amerks are in the playoff hunt. "I've been fortunate to be on the good side of things for a while [against So I'd call up Alex Nylander and see if he has any desire to have an NHL Toronto] but we've got to find a way to get that hate a little bit more, career with this organization. It's time. If he can't play or doesn't want to especially at home," said Jason Pominville, who has played more than play, cut bait. Get Thompson ready for his playoff work in the AHL. 700 games with this organization. "We had a chance tonight but just weren't able to do it. We have to find a way to win a game against this Shortly after the Leafs' first goal, Thompson flat-out waved at Toronto team. I think everyone is well aware they're not a favorite." defenseman Martin Marincin in the Buffalo zone and only an Ullmark save prevented an early 2-0 deficit and an awfully short night for the Blue It's yet another example of how the Leafs have flown light years ahead of and Gold. It was a grievous play, the kind that cannot be rewarded with Buffalo. Think of the Atlantic Division right now. How in the world are the any more NHL ice time this season. Sabres ever going to catch up with Tampa Bay or Toronto? Boston seems ready to take a step back every year and never does. Now And if the Sabres don't want to call up a forward, then play with 11 Montreal is vastly improved. forwards and seven defensemen. There is no good reason why Casey Nelson has sat for seven games after his conditioning assignment in The Sabres basically go nose-to-nose with Florida and don't look likely to Rochester while Matt Hunwick and Marco Scandella continue to play. finish in front of a team that plays in a largely empty arena. None of this makes sense. November seems like years ago. Think how maddening this team is. The last three home wins are over the New York Islanders, Washington and Pittsburgh. They can play every once in a while. But that's not remotely good enough in this league. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 It's not only ridiculous to go nearly three months without winning two games in a row, it's downright laughable. It feels like the next time the Sabres might do it will be in October. As in next season.

"No, it doesn't feel like that at all," said captain Jack Eichel, laughing to mask his clear disgust at the topic being broached. "I don't know. I don't have an answer for you right now."

Fair enough. There isn't one answer. There's a host of them. 1134090 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Notebook: Rasmus Dahlin maintained possession before OT goal vs. Penguins

By Lance Lysowski

Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019

TORONTO — The Buffalo Sabres' celebration was underway in KeyBank Center Friday night when referee Tim Peel announced that Conor Sheary's game-winning overtime goal was under review.

The NHL's situation room in Toronto initiated the challenge to determine if Rasmus Dahlin was offside earlier in the Sabres' final possession, which ended with Sheary's wrist shot sealing a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Penguins players climbed over the boards to prepare for the next shift following Peel's announcement, only to discover less than one minute later the call on the ice stood because Dahlin was ruled onside. A similar play negated Jack Eichel's goal at Florida on Feb. 19, and coach Phil Housley admitted the rule's interpretation can be unpredictable.

"It always changes game to game," Housley said Saturday in Scotiabank Arena when asked of the difference between the two challenges. "I just thought Rasmus had possession coming into the zone. He was making a hockey move and it was right on to his tape, so that to me is possession at that point in the overtime."

That was the league's interpretation upon further review. The sequence in question began when Dahlin collected the puck in the neutral zone and maintained possession until he met Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson at the opposing blue line.

The league's initial concern stemmed from the puck lagging behind Dahlin's body while he tried to stick handle to his left around Pettersson. While still Images show Dahlin in the offensive zone with the puck behind the blue line, the official ruling determined the 18-year-old defenseman never lost possession of the puck, therefore making him onside.

Eichel's third-period goal in Florida was nullified because he lost possession while attempting to enter the offensive zone, and he skated backward to try to regain the puck on the blade of his stick. Initially ruled onside, Eichel would one-time a pass from Zach Bogosian for a goal, only to have the play ruled offside after a challenge.

However, Housley said he and his coaching staff had no such concerns Friday night when Sheary scored with 49 seconds left in overtime. According to the NHL's Rule 83.1, "a player actually controlling the puck who shall cross the line ahead of the puck shall not be considered 'offside,' provided he had possession and control of the puck prior to his skates crossing the blue line."

"We looked at it in the coach’s room, and I felt they made the right call," Housley said.

Ullmark starts again

Housley chose to use the same starting goalie in back-to-back days for the second time in one week, opting to use Linus Ullmark in net Saturday night in Toronto after the 25-year-old stopped 41 of 44 shots against the Penguins.

It was the first time this season Ullmark started games in back-to-back days. Carter Hutton, who left practice early Thursday because of a lower- body injury, was available to start if needed, but Housley chose to use Ullmark because of his performance against the Penguins.

Scandella returns

Defenseman Marco Scandella returned to the Sabres' lineup Saturday after a lower-body injury prevented the 28-year-old from playing against the Penguins. Defensemen Matt Hunwick and Casey Nelson were healthy scratches, while forward Vladimir Sobotka remains day to day with an upper-body injury.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134091 Buffalo Sabres while Matthews (30-29-59 in 50 games) has eight goals and 11 points in nine career games against Buffalo – including the sizzling overtime winner in the final seconds Dec. 4 in Buffalo.

Sabres at Leafs: Five Things to Know Eichel had the third two-goal game of his career against the Leafs here in Monday's matchup. He's 5-3-8 in six career games in this building. He's also on a seven-game point streak overall, tied for his longest of the By Mike Harrington season. He's at 5-4-9 in those games.

Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019 "Elite speed. He's an interesting type skater," Babcock said. "... Against us last time he was dangerous. I thought he was the best player on the

ice for both teams. It's like playing against McDavid, Draisaitl, Barzal or TORONTO – For the second time this week, the Sabres are in any of the guys that are really good. You give them space and room and Scotiabank Arena to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs. Buffalo is playing on they really hurt you." a back-to-back after Friday's overtime win over Pittsburgh and did not 5. By the numbers: Frederik Anderson (30-13-3, 2.59/.923) starts in goal have a morning skate today. for Toronto and Linus Ullmark, who made 41 saves against the Toronto has won both meetings this season, a 5-4 overtime thriller in Penguins, will go on back-to-back days for the first time this season. He's December in KeyBank Center and Monday's 5-3 victory here. Faceoff 14-8-4, 3.03/.910. Housley said Carter Hutton is healthy enough to play tonight is at 7:15 on MSG and WGR Radio. Thanks to Canadian but Ullmark is being rewarded for his play Friday night and in relief here television for that extra delay. Monday. ... Marco Scandella is back on on defense for Matt Hunwick. ... Jeff Skinner's season-high goal drought is at seven games and he's Here are Five Things to Know about tonight's game: stuck at 36 goals ... The Sabres have a power-play goal in four straight games and are 5 for 14 in that span. ... Former Sabre Tyler Ennis, who 1. What's at stake: The Sabres are seven points out in the wild-card race has nine goals and played well as a fourth-liner, will be a healthy scratch while the Leafs are three points behind Boston in the race for second in for the Leafs tonight so trade deadline acquisition Nic Petan can make the Atlantic Division. Other key games among wild-card teams today are his Toronto debut. Edmonton at Columbus, Pittsburgh at Montreal and Carolina at Florida.

2. Some ugly Sabres numbers: There's a lot of it heading into this one. Buffalo has dropped three straight overall to the Leafs – and has not lost Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 four in a row to its archrival since the 1971-72 season. It lost here Monday after playing a strong first period and then getting burned for three quick goals early in the second.

"It's a big rivalry, a divisonal game, divisional opponent," coach Phil Housley said when he met reporters late this afternoon because the Sabres did not skate today. " ... We've got to focus on tonight. It will be a tough task. They're a very good hockey team. At the same time, if we can shut things down and play a boring game so to speak, we'll get opportunities to score. That's the way we look at it."

Asked if he's fed up losing to the Leafs, Housley dropped some of the coachspeak.

"I'm fed up losing to anybody for that matter," Housley said, smiling. "I like the way we started our game here the last time."

There's more numbers trouble for the Sabres: They're 0-9-1 when trying to forge a two-game winning streak since their last one, Dec. 11-13. The Sabres are just 3-13-3 in their last 19 road games and 0-5-1 in their last six.

3. Leafs on the bounceback: Toronto took Friday off to recoup from Thursday's 6-1 decimation on Long Island in John Tavares' return game. That loss snapped a three-game winning streak – the seventh time this year Toronto has won three or more.

"I really liked our game. Actually I thought it was spectacular for us for about 24 minutes," coach Mike Babcock said after his team's morning skate today. "It just goes to show you if you don't keep doing it right, you can't win in the against good teams. I thought it was as good a lesson as we could get."

Tavares, the subject of the fan unrest in Nassau Coliseum after his free- agent jump over the summer, took the high road today and said he was on to the next game. Fans here had his back Friday in the wake of Thursday's display in the crowd, and even Mayor John Tory tweeted his support of the Leafs' hometown star.

"I'm focusing now on tonight and getting ready to play against Buffalo," Tavares said. "I just want to bounce back. That's what's most important, moving forward and getting back to some of the things we were doing forward.

"Ever since I've been here the support has been tremendous. Playing here and being a part of it, especially from the support you get from the fans around the city, it's a special place to play."

Seeking a second win over the Sabres this week.

4. Jack vs. Auston: Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews are good friends who seem to be relishing their personal rivalry. Eichel (23-47-70 in 61 games) has 10 goals and 15 points in 11 career games against the Leafs 1134092 Buffalo Sabres 26. Edmonton Oilers. McDavid's frustrations have to be boiling over. (28)

27. Anaheim Ducks. Montour is another piece gone of vaunted young Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings defense core. (26)

28. New Jersey Devils. Hall's season may be over after knee surgery. By Mike Harrington (29)

Published Sat, Mar 2, 2019|Updated Sat, Mar 2, 2019 29. Detroit Red Wings. Surprised Howard didn't move at deadline. (27)

30. Los Angeles Kings. Iafallo up to 14 goals, 28 points in second season. (30) Through Friday's games. Last week's rankings in parentheses. 31. Ottawa Senators. Worst week in franchise history: Traded top three 1. Tampa Bay Lightning. Sobering loss in Boston ends 10-game winning scorers and fired coach. (31) streak. (1)

2. . Gaudreau hits first 30-goal, 80-point season. (2) Buffalo News LOADED: 03.03.2019 3. Boston Bruins. Went 11-0-2 in February, first month without regulation loss since 2011. (4)

4. San Jose Sharks. Kane's "Three Blind Mice" tweet showed his opinion over no penalty or suspension for Chara on hit to head. (3)

5. New York Islanders. Quite a "performance" by fanbase/lynchmob in Tavares return. (7)

6. Washington Capitals. This will be Ovechkin's eighth 50-goal season. (8)

7. Toronto Maple Leafs. Entire organization probably relieved Long Island affair is finally over. (9)

8. . One-point lead, three games in hand over Preds in Central. (5)

9. Nashville Predators. Victory in Simmonds Sweepstakes could be huge come playoff time. (6)

10. Montreal Canadiens. Price's video of meeting with young fan in Toronto is a social media gem. (10)

11. Carolina Hurricanes. Evander Holyfield issues knockout in latest postgame celebration skit. (15)

12. Vegas Golden Knights. One point, three wins for Stone in first three games. (14)

13. Columbus Blue Jackets. Razor-thin margin: Keep popping into third in Metro, out of playoffs. (12)

14. St. Louis Blues. Binnington earns Rookie of the Month, could sneak into Calder race. (13)

15. Pittsburgh Penguins. Defense seriously thin without Dumoulin, Letang. (11)

16. Dallas Stars. Trade for Zuccarello, lose him to broken arm in first game. Ouch. (16)

17. Minnesota Wild. Owner Leipold issues video that says team is not in a rebuild. (17)

18. . Ugly Stadium Series jersey were good luck again in win over Sabres. (21)

19. Buffalo Sabres. Mega stars on five straight opponents: Pens, Leafs, Oilers, Hawks, Avs. (19)

20. Colorado Avalanche. MacKinnon, Rantenan tied with 82 points. (20)

21. Arizona Coyotes. Richardson is club's first four-goal player since 1995. (25)

22. Chicago Blackhawks. Patrick Kane is league's second star for February. (21)

23. Florida Panthers. En route to first 3o-goal season, Barkov hits second 40-assist campaign. (24)

24. New York Rangers. Lundqvist emotional after trades of longtime mates. (23)

25. . Boeser having quiet 21-goal sophomore season. (22) 1134093 Calgary Flames

Flames Celebrity Poker Tournament raises more than $365,000

BILL BROOKS, CALGARY HERALD

Updated: March 2, 2019

Times are indeed tough these days, but the recent success of the Calgary Flames Ambassadors’ Celebrity Poker Tournament, held Feb. 5 at Cowboys Casino, is proof that philanthropy is alive and well. The tournament raised more than $365,000 for the Calgary Flames Foundation, bringing the total raised through the poker event to more than $5 million in 14 years. The foundation has supported more than 80 charities in southern Alberta.

Calgary Flames players, coaches, alumni and local celebrities including Calgary Stampeders and PGA player Graham DeLaet competed against 350 other poker players at Cowboys Casino. Participants bought in to play against their hockey heroes and the chance to win more than $50,000 in prizes.

Making it to the top three was Flames Ambassador Carey Bracko, who finished in third place. Second place went to Concorde Group’s Victor Choy and the first place prize and poker champion was season ticket holder Hung Ngo. Ngo won a $10,000 Poker Championship ring from Maxime’s, $5,000 cash, two Calgary Flames Top Shelf tickets and a 2019 Poker Championship belt buckle and jersey. Sportsnet 960 the FAN’s Derek Wills finished in fifth place, making it to the final table for the second year in a row.

Others in attendance included: Shane Homes’ Dave Rickett; Cheap Smokes & Cigars’ Jeff Lawrence; artists and philanthropist Chris Tutty; Coun. Joe Magliocca; committee members Shannon Warren and Dan Forigo; Elevate Auctions’ Bill Brown; media star Beesley; Dave Mullen; Phil Sprung; Sammy’s Pizza’s Lou Borhot, Amir Borhot, Monier Borhot and Sammy Borhot; legendary Lanny McDonald; Cowboys’ Scarlet Lee; Flames general manager Brad Treliving, Craig Conroy, Don Maloney, Brad Pascal and Bill Peters; Flames co-owner Jeff McCaig; and others pictured.

Kudos to all the participants on the success of the tournament and good on you sentiments go out to tournament co-chairs Rollie Cyr and Steve Major.

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134094 Calgary Flames “Unfortunately (Saturday night), it went the other way. That’s part of playing sports and being a professional. Obviously, they’re passionate fans, and when things are going well, they’re right there with you. But Flames lose to Wild on Iginla Night at Dome there are mistakes in games that happen, and they paid their money to come here to voice their displeasures, and that’s what happened.

“But I don’t think anyone likes to feel like that at home,” Smith continued. Todd Saelhof “It’s one thing to go on the road and get booed, but you don’t like to hear it in your own rink. But that’s the way it is. That’s part of the sport, and

you just accept it and keep moving on.” It was Iggy’s night. It was all warm and fuzzy for the Flames early on, as they took the warm- But the Minnesota Wild wanted in on the shin-dig. up all dressed in No. 12 Iginla throwback silks and then went out and put the buzz on the Wild. In fact, they turned what was a memorable celebration for Calgary Flames icon Jarome Iginla into their own wild after-party late Saturday at But the Wild got on the board first, spurning the spirited start by the home the Saddledome. side when Jason Zucker put in a yeoman’s effort behind the net to out- muscle TJ Brodie and get the puck out front to a wide-open Eric Staal, Despite the hosts controlling much of the affair — or at least the first two who beat Smith with a one-timer. periods — the Wild pulled off a 4-2 win to cap what was otherwise an extraordinary evening that saw Iginla’s No. 12 jersey raised to the rafters A few minutes later, Austin Czarnik pushed a puck through Wild in a pre-game emotional send-off for the legend. netminder Devan Dubnyk to cap a Flames rush, but a coach’s challenge for goalie interference overturned the would-be tying goal, keeping it 1-0 “It was awesome,” said Flames captain Mark Giordano, who played for the visitors. alongside Iginla for part of their careers in Calgary. “Great speech by him — I thought he showed his personality to a T. An easy guy to get along It stayed that way through to intermission despite the home side with but really funny. It was really great to be a part of that ceremony. generating the majority of chances but not getting rewarded for their dominance. “Myself, personally, playing with Iggy, I wanted to come out here and get a big win on a night for him. But it seems like it doesn’t work out that way The Wild threatened to add to their lead in the second stanza when often when those things happen.” Garnet Hathaway was ejected from the game and assessed a five- minute penalty after he got tangled up with Luke Kunin, who went to The loss kept the Flames at 89 points on the NHL season with a 41-17-7 check the rough-and-tumble Flames winger but wound up somehow record on top of the Western Conference, still with a five-point cushion banging his head on the dasher in front of the visitors’ bench. ahead of the second-place San Jose Sharks. But the Flames managed to kill off the penalty and went on a power-play It stopped the club’s three-game win streak on home ice and seven- of their own, cashing in as the Wild’s Kevin Fiala was exiting the penalty game string overall. box. Sean Monahan finished off a terrific tic-tac-toe passing play from Mark Giordano to Johnny Gaudreau to the goal-scorer at the top of the Meanwhile, the Wild, who have now won five straight — including four crease for his 30th marker of the campaign to tie the affair. consecutive on the road — climbed to 32-27-6 and remain in the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference, one point ahead of the surging The home side then got a golden opportunity to take the lead later in the Arizona Coyotes, who downed the Detroit Red Wings earlier Saturday. second, but Sam Bennett’s shot at an open cage — off a sweet move and feed from Mark Jankowski — slammed off the post. On this night, the Wild got a little help from the Flames goaltender Mike Smith, whose misadventure to play the puck in the third period led to the Instead, it was the strange goal by Reid to put the visitors up 2-1 four go-ahead goal. minutes into the stanza, with Smith’s odd decision behind the net ending up being the turning point of the game. The goalie curiously stayed too long behind his net in trying to help tie up a play, when the Wild’s Matt Read eventually grabbed the loose puck And they added to it with the eventual game-winner nine minutes left in and, from behind the goal-line, pinballed what looked like a pass off Mark the third when Ryan Suter scored on a Wild rush, beating Smith to the Jankowski’s skate in the crease and into the open net. glove-side.

“Just a mistake behind the net with the puck,” said Smith, owning up his “I think we ran out of the gas (in the third period),” said Flames head error post-game. “You can’t make mistakes like that in close games, and coach Bill Peters. “It’s very similar to the last time we came back from out tonight, it bit us.” east — we ran out of gas against Arizona (Feb. 18).

Giordano defended his goalie. “I thought we played well but not with the same juice and the same jump that we should have,” Peters added. “I think it’s on all of us (and not just “Smitty, one of his best parts of his game is playing the puck, and we Smith). I think in every aspect of the game we were this much off.” want him to go out and play every puck,” the veteran defenceman said. “Those things are going to happen every once in a while. But the other thousand times that he comes out and plays it clean, it’s going to help us break the puck out.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019

Smith was involved in another stinker with under two minutes left in regulation, allowing the Wild’s newly-acquired rookie, Ryan Donato, to beat him through the five-hole on a slapper the goalie would surely like to have back. The Flames challenged the goal on a replay that looked to be offside Wild, but the scoring play was upheld and it spelled all-she-wrote for the hosts.

It was late insurance for the visitors with the Flames pushing to tie the affair shortly after Travis Hamonic’s ripper from the point found its way through traffic and into the top corner on the blocker side of Dubnyk to make it 3-2 with five minutes remaining in regulation.

And the fans voiced their displeasure — as they did on the go-ahead goal — of Smith.

“I don’t think anyone likes to be jeered at at home,” Smith said. “I think that’s just human nature. But they’re passionate fans, and mistakes are going to happen in games. I’m telling you that right now they’re going to happen. 1134095 Calgary Flames Iginla owns the Flames’ franchise record for goals (525), points (1,095) and games played (1,219) and must have set the unofficial standard for autographs signed, too.

Flames legend Iginla reflects as jersey is raised: ‘I won over and over It’s only fitting that his No. 12 jersey — as Lanny put it, “a sort of civic again’ fashion statement in Calgary” for much of his 16-season stint — now has a permanent perch under the saddle-shaped roof.

Wes Gilbertson Iginla joins Lanny and beloved backstop Mike Vernon as the only guys in club lore to have their digits officially declared off-limits for future use.

McDonald and Vernon, both among the alumni in attendance for Jarome Iginla joked that his speech suddenly needed a last-minute re- Saturday’s goosebumps-worthy occasion, were part of the Flames’ write. championship parade back in 1989.

Because before Saturday’s man-of-the-hour had his turn at the Iginla never won the NHL’s big one. microphone, family and fans, friends and former teammates were treated to a highlight-reel reminder of some of his milestone markers, his spirited That doesn’t diminish his legacy one bit. scraps and other most memorable moments on behalf of the Calgary “I have a lot of special memories in this Flames jersey and the Flames. Saddledome, but I also want to share one of the hardest moments of my “The one thing about the video, it kind of spoiled a little bit of what I was career — the day I knew that I wasn’t going to play in the NHL again,” going to tell you about my 500th goal,” Iginla said with his usual million- Iginla said in Saturday’s speech. “Not because my playing time was watt smile. “I was going to tell you I went end-to-end, split the D like done. I had played a good while and enjoyed it ’til the end. But because I Mario Lemieux and went bar-down. But I didn’t. thought I realized I wasn’t going to win. As an athlete, you push and you push and try to be positive and always envisioning that it will happen. I “It was a mouldy one. I tried to pass to Glennie (Curtis Glencross) over believe you have to be that way in life and in hockey, so I’ll admit it there, cross-crease … Off a stick. Off a skate. It was an ugly one, but I bothered me a bit. loved them all the same.” “But after taking some time to reflect on my career with my family and At the Saddledome, where his No. 12 now hangs from the rafters, Iginla friends, and adding a little dose of gratitude, I know I did win,” he is loved like no other. continued. “And I’m not talking about the goal that didn’t count in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final that Gelly scored. “We’re here,” declared longtime teammate and close pal Craig Conroy at Saturday’s jersey retirement shindig, “to pay tribute to one of the greatest “I won over and over again every day for the 20 years that I played in the Flames of all-time, if not the greatest. Sorry, Lanny.” NHL. I won all the days of minor hockey, growing up in a program like St. Albert, then playing junior in a great hockey place like , where I No apologies necessary. learned and grew so much. I won playing professionally in a first-class This night was, as it should have been, all about Jarome. organization — the Calgary Flames — that is built upon family, community and leadership. Saturday’s hour-long ceremony hit all the right notes. “At the end of the day, to me, a big part of life is about memories, As he walked the red carpet toward centre ice, the longtime face-of-the- friendships, challenges and giving your all. I got to do all that here in franchise and now-retired right-winger fist-bumped a line of youngsters Calgary with the Flames, with the fans and my teammates. I did win — who have benefitted from KidSport, a charity near and dear to his heart. God has been very good to me and my family. We have been truly (As part of the celebration, the Flames Foundation announced a $50,000 blessed.” donation in Iginla’s name.) With that, and with a sold-out crowd of 19,289 hanging on every word, There were tributes from Conroy and Lanny McDonald, whose video Iginla delivered one more roof-raiser. voiceover included this terrific summation of what made No. 12 so special — “When it got hard, he got better. And when he got mad, whoa “Thank-you to all the fans,” he beamed. “You guys were amazing over 16 boy, look out.” years. The support was truly awesome for my family and I. It’s been awesome living here … There was a “Yeah baby!” from iconic broadcaster and ceremony emcee Peter Maher. “We look forward to watching many, many great Flames Cup runs ahead. Go Flames, go!” There were several standing ovations and chants of ‘Iggy! Iggy!’ and ‘It was in!’ The latter, of course, a reference to Martin Gelinas’ shoulda- been series-clincher in the 2004 Stanley Cup final. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019 And there were no shortage of smiles from the 41-year-old Iginla and his biggest fans — his parents, his wife Kara and their three kids, Jade, Tij and Joe.

“I was on the outdoor rink a few weeks ago with my son, Joe, showing him some moves — some toe-drags, some fakes and all that stuff,” said Iginla, soon to be enshrined in the . “And he says to me, ‘Uh, Dad … You didn’t really use any of these nice moves.’ And I’ll admit, I said, ‘C’mon, you’re remembering when I’m 39! C’mon, a little bit back!’

“Tij was a little nicer,” Iginla continued as the crowd howled. “When I showed him, he goes, ‘Well, Dad, you only scored shooting, why are you showing me these moves?’

“But it’s awesome. It’s truly a pleasure to be home and get to spend time trying to show them some stuff.”

His life-after-hockey home is Boston.

But for his lamp-lighting, knuckle-chucking, letter-wearing heyday, the Saddledome was his home. He will remain a local legend, regardless of where he collects his mail. 1134096 Calgary Flames years — so when he says it goes by quickly, it’s pretty eye-opening. It’s nice to hear that every once in a while because you do sometimes take it for granted when you’re having a tough day. Like he said, you have to Flames retire Iggy’s iconic No. 12 jersey at Saddledome enjoy it.”

Iginla, of course, isn’t the first retired player to preach that time flies.

Wes Gilbertson But when you consider that only a dozen guys in league history have logged more regular-season appearances than his 1,554, Saturday’s speech certainly packed punch.

Hours before his iconic No. 12 jersey was raised to the rafters at the There is a reason his No. 12 will forever be on display — and off-limits for Saddledome, before 19,289 of his biggest fans would chant his name just future wear — at the Saddledome. like old times, Jarome Iginla was briefly on the opposite side of the camera. “Look at his career — I mean, 1,200 games and almost 1,000 points, and that’s just here,” marvelled rookie defenceman Rasmus Andersson, born Now 41, the Calgary Flames’ franchise all-timer was seated in the lower six months after Iginla made his debut for the Flames in the opening bowl, smiling wide and shooting iPhone videos of his two sons — Tij and round of the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs. “You look up to a player like that. Joe — on the ice with the current stars at Saturday’s morning skate. He’s a guy who has kind of done everything, right? He’s been a big leader in this city, been the face-of-the-franchise … “You can tell they love the game,” said left-winger Johnny Gaudreau, Iginla’s successor as net-filling fan fave at the Saddledome. “They were “So when he speaks, you listen.” scoring on Ritter (David Rittich) pretty easily, so hopefully they have bright futures ahead of themselves, like their dad did. They’re two pretty He spoke Saturday. good little players.” For the remainder of the season, and beyond, he’ll be watching.

Added forward call-up Curtis Lazar: “They’re pretty skilled, right? I don’t And cheering. know if Jarome has been stickhandling with them in the garage or what, but they know how to shoot the puck and everything. They fit in pretty “It looks like you guys are having a ton of fun this year,” Iginla told the well.” Western Conference-leading team prior to Saturday’s morning skate. “It’s great to be Flames fans. My boys, back in Boston, now they’re pulling out Tij and Joe suited up in the Flames’ locker room — rookies Andrew their hats everywhere. They’re cool in the dressing room. Before, they Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington lost their usual seats so the boys could were still Flames fans … But now they’re wearing it everywhere. It’s have full-fledged stalls — and watched the first chunk of the skate from awesome. the home bench before joining the action. “Keep playing, keep being yourselves. You guys are winning in all They worked on a line with Lazar, happily serving as setup man. different styles, and we’re enjoying watching. So good luck. We look They flipped pucks back and forth with alternate captain Matthew forward to watching you guys, and it really means a lot to us to be a part Tkachuk. of this today. Thank you.”

Twelve-year-old Tij — Joe is the baby of the bunch at 10 — provided some highlight-reel footage for his proud pops when he roofed a shot on Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019 Rittich. As head coach Bill Peters put it: “Apple, tree.”

“It feels like that was me yesterday,” said the 21-year-old Tkachuk, also the son of a premier power forward. “Talking with Jarome about it today, too, he remembers meeting me at the all-star game in Montreal (in 2009) and how I was that age. I brought up to him that there’s a picture out there, I don’t know where it is but I remember that because I have a picture of it. We had a good laugh about that.

“It’s just great to see them out there, celebrating their dad’s unbelievable career as a Flame. The best player in franchise history here, and he is going to be celebrated as that.

“There is no player that deserves this more than him.”

Many of Calgary’s current regulars — including go-to guys like Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Sean Monahan — are actually closer in age to Tij and Joe than they are to Jarome, but the retired right-winger stressed in a speech to the team that it won’t feel like long before they too are in look-back mode, summarizing his 20 NHL campaigns with a symbolic snap of his fingers. (“It goes fast. It’s hard to believe. You’re going to hear people say it the whole time, but enjoy it. Enjoy it.”)

“It was a great message, telling us about how quickly it does go by and how we should cherish being in this league,” said 35-year-old blue-line ace Mark Giordano, who followed Iginla’s footsteps as club captain. “I know it meant a lot to me, but I’m sure for the young guys, even more.”

Indeed, Iginla’s words resonated.

For stay-at-home defenceman Travis Hamonic, 28: “It seems like he is someone who really enjoyed himself, coming to the rink everyday. When you have someone like that, a Hall-of-Famer like that, telling you to soak it all in, I think that’s something you have to do.”

For crash-and-bang winger Garnet Hathaway, 27: “You think about that many games, that he played 20 seasons … And if that is quick, then you better enjoy every second of it. We’re all fortunate enough to be in the NHL, so take every day for what it’s worth. It’s amazing.”

For the 25-year-old Gaudreau, the most likely candidate to someday threaten Iginla’s franchise points record: “He played a long career — 20 1134097 Calgary Flames He was also handed the J.R. McCaig Memorial Award in 2007-08 for best exemplifying the Flames owner’s enduring virtues of respect, courtesy and compassion for all individuals he encountered both in his Iginla’s generosity knows no bounds professional and everyday life.

And the majority of Iginla’s community service was done out of the public eye. Todd Saelhof “He’s a humble guy — he doesn’t do things so that people would talk about him,” Goudie added. “And most of what he did, he preferred to do it in private. We had countless requests to meet him — more than you He’s not just a hockey legend. could possibly manage. So we would meet families all the time — He’s a heck of a person. families going through very difficult periods of time, whether it was loss or sickness. He never wanted that to be public, and he did that all the time.” Just ask all the children in Calgary and across the nation whose lives he’s helped improve.

Thanks to initiatives, including KidSport Canada, his own hockey school Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019 and Ronald McDonald House, Jarome Iginla was not only a hero on the ice with the Calgary Flames but a hero off the ice as well.

“Jarome set an example in the dressing room for everyone to give back and to be a leader and a mentor,” said Candice Goudie, executive director of charitable foundations/community investment for Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. “He had a variety of ways to give back — through mentorship, leadership and financial contributions.”

Iginla started a summer hockey camp after arriving in Calgary, and all the registration fees went directly to local and international charities.

The camp raised more than $100,000 for such organizations as the Diabetes Association (Foothills Calgary), Stars Air Ambulance, Easter Seal’s Camp Horizon (Bragg Creek), Indigo Love of Reading Fun, Doctors Without Borders, and OXFAM Canada, Ronald McDonald House of Southern Alberta and Brown Baggin for Calgary Kids.

“He was on the ice every single day with the kids,” Goudie said. “He just really believed in setting a positive example in grassroots hockey and what it meant to be involved in sports for kids. He was an advocate for the power of sport.”

Among is most high-profile work was being an ambassador for KidSport Calgary, a non-profit organization which raises funds for sporting equipment and registration fees for underprivileged youth and families. By donating an initial $31,000 and then donating money with every goal that he scored since 2000 — first $1,000 per goal, and after the NHL lockout in 2004-05, $2,000 per goal — his donations to KidSport Calgary/Canada have reached more than $800,000, benefitting children from coast to coast.

“Jarome was, without a doubt, a hall of famer when it comes to his work in our community and with KidSport,” said KidSport executive director Kevin Webster. “His care, passion and commitment to KidSport and our goal of getting more kids the opportunity to play was second to none. Jarome’s partnership with KidSport throughout his career elevated KidSport, our brand and our profile to all new heights.

“This opened doors to new donors who wanted to be like Jarome and ensure local kids had the chance to play, but it also opened doors to new families who had not heard of KidSport before and who could not afford sport for their kids,” Webster continued. “This introduction gave their kids the chance to chase their dreams as KidSport was able to help provide the financial assistance needed so they could play.”

Iginla has also been a major supporter of the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the Calgary Flames Foundation, the Rebecca Hotchkiss International Scholar Exchange Program and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

“He also donated just with his time,” Goudie said. “He was always at school visits and hospital visits. Those aren’t mandatory events. He just knew what it meant to be a professional athlete at his level and the impact he could make just by stopping and saying ‘hi’ and signing autographs and what it meant to families just to take the time.”

In 2004, he was awarded the NHL Foundation Award for Community Service, as well as the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in recognition of his humanitarian contributions.

Iginla was twice recognized by earning the Flames’ Ralph T. Scurfield Award, presented annually to the team’s player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice combined with dedication to community service. 1134098 Calgary Flames than them. It was one of those (speeches), without being rah-rah and trying to pump everything up, that was so calm and level-headed. He made us believe that we had a chance. So then it was, ‘OK, we’ll make a Elite skill set, grinder mindset: Jarome Iginla was the ‘last of that breed’ series out of this. We’ll give it a shot.’ It felt like it changed the course of our run.

“The rest of the story is all known now.” By Scott Cruickshank Yes — with Iginla as a course-changing force on the ice and behind the Mar 2, 2019 scenes — the Flames ground past the Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks, before falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the

Stanley Cup final. Consider Darryl Sutter. A wickedly hard marker. A diminisher of Along the way, hockey fans, from coast to coast, got an eyeful of individualism. A man who is reluctant to rave and certainly not one to Calgary’s charismatic captain. If Iginla was considered a standout before gush. the postseason began, he had been upgraded to an icon by the time it Yet, after this display, even he felt compelled to pay tribute. concluded.

The coach, presiding over the Calgary Flames’ most important night in “Legendary, that’s what I say,” Craig Conroy said, who is now the years, had just watched Jarome Iginla score twice, then set up the 3-2 assistant general manager of the Flames. “He’s a star in the league and, overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks. So overwhelming was the all of a sudden, he becomes legendary.” Game 7 showing, even by Iginla’s lofty standards, that Sutter had been Some highlights, even 15 years later, are powerful enough to make moved to acknowledge publicly the April 19, 2004, handiwork at General Conroy shake his head. Motors Place. “The performances he had …” “In 25 years in the game,” the Jolly Rancher announced, “that’s the single most dominating performance by one player in one game that I’ve ever As the unheralded Calgarians shouldered past first-place clubs from the seen.” Northwest, Central and Pacific divisions to get into the showdown with the Southeast Division kingpins, No. 12 left his mark. Years later, Rhett A sold-out arena witnessed live the heroics. A city of ecstatic fans made Warrener called that the “real Jarome Iginla.” Sure, hundreds of goals do with the television version. And the conclusion drawn by all witnesses were yet to come, “but that intensity, that desire, that passion that he would have had to be unanimous. played with, inspired guys. Putting it into words is hard. Iginla was magnificent. “When you’ve got a guy of that calibre? Playing that hard? Well, you saw But his impact went well beyond on-ice drive, physical mastery, peerless how good he could be.” persistence. Away from prying eyes, too, he excelled. A playoff-high 13 goals. His 22 points was the third-highest total in the In fact, from that unforgettable evening, Martin Gelinas’s keepsake postseason. Among the top 30, no one was tagged with more penalty moment isn’t from any in-game drama, even though he himself authored minutes than Iginla, who fought three times in four series. the series-clinching tally. His assortment of assets, for eight weeks, was in full view of a national Rather, it’s a moment that took place behind closed doors. audience.

The Flames, having trudged into the visitors’ dressing room after the third “Everybody would ask me, ‘Is he really that good?’ Uh, yeah, he was the period, were trying to wrap their heads around the wildly disappointing best player in the world at that point,” Chris Clark said while chuckling. final shift of regulation time. When, in a matter of seconds with “Being on TV for two months, every other day, and I think most Vancouver’s goalie pulled, Iginla’s backhander at the empty net veers Canadians were rooting for us — well, maybe not in Edmonton — and to wide, a fan hurls a jersey onto the ice, Brendan Morrison clubs Iginla’s see him play at that level, to see him lead the team emotionally, stick out of his hands, Iginla trips over said stick and falls backward and physically, on the scoresheet, was awesome.” Matt Cooke pots the equalizer with only six ticks remaining. Even if his Flames fell short that year and never got close again, even if Fair to say the Flames were disheartened. Iginla left in 2013 to skate for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles, the body of work in Calgary is remarkable. Surveying the grim group — his grim group — Iginla cleared his throat. His debut, for starters, was like none other. What he said was not a lot. Nor was it bombastic. April 1996 — Iginla and the WHL are eliminated by the What it was, was perfect. visiting Spokane Chiefs on Saturday night. Fourteen hours later at the Saddledome, on Sunday afternoon, Iginla pulls on the No. 24 sweater “I remember everyone was deflated. No one was really talking,” Gelinas and sets up a goal by Theoren Fleury in Game 3 against the Chicago said. “And the leader, the captain, took charge and realized that Blackhawks. something needed to be said. Jarome just stood up and said, ‘If someone would have said that we’d be in Game 7 — in overtime, in Vancouver — What followed was an offensive outpouring, steady and enduring. when we started this series, we would have been thrilled. Let’s go out there and do it.’ The mood changed. Everything perked up.” For the Flames, Iginla played the most games (1,219), scored the most goals (525) and compiled the most points (1,095). The effect of Iginla’s words had not been fleeting, either. Now, wholly deserved, Iginla’s No. 12 sweater will be raised to the “From that point on, the focus, the way we approached the games, was Saddledome rafters, joining Lanny McDonald’s No. 9 and Mike Vernon’s totally different,” Gelinas said, who is currently an assistant coach with No. 30. the Flames. “That’s the story that I’ll remember.” Saturday’s ceremony, before the opening faceoff against the Minnesota Stirring words from Iginla also touched Denis Gauthier — same series, Wild, gives fans get an opportunity to reconnect with their hero, the different night. winger who, scoring and scrapping, carried the franchise.

From the back of the bus — as the team was being ferried back to the For even casual fans, his contributions are obvious. hotel after the Game 1 loss in Vancouver — Iginla patiently made a point. That no matter what the standings might suggest, the Flames were But listening to former teammates, the measure of the man went well superior to the Canucks. Composed, he outlined the Calgarians’ beyond the numbers. Iginla, as Gelinas and Gauthier so eagerly recalled advantages. from 2004, was a difference-maker away from the spotlight, too.

“I remember that specific time — I don’t know why, but it’s just stuck with For him, shepherding came naturally. The right time, the right touch. me. That was a good memory for me,” Gauthier said. “It had that weird “You see older guys on teams and sometimes in moments when feeling … for a bunch of guys that were discouraged, he was so positive. something needs to be said, it can be forced,” Andrew Ference said. It wasn’t an act. It was just him talking about believing we were better “Like, ‘This is a moment when a leader has to say something, so I better Even hauling hockey bags. If Doan could lug a dozen, Iginla wanted to say something.’ It was never like that for Jarome. That’s what I admired do 13. about him. Mario (Lemieux) was the same way. They weren’t just talking to talk. If they did open their mouths, it was for a reason. “It was hilarious — they would continue to go until one guy would win out,” said Huska, a Flames assistant coach, who, in those days, billeted “It was authentic. It was never contrived.” with Iginla and Nolan Baumgartner. “Having the two of them as elite players around each other at that younger age, I think they pushed Iginla’s dressing-room influence was not limited to motivational themselves to be better. addresses. “And it was an all-the-time thing. No matter what it was, they were Clark, in his early days of trying to crack the Flames roster, volleyed back competing.” and forth between AHL Saint John and Calgary. For a newcomer, entrances could be awkward — if not for Iginla’s grace. (Neverendingly, it seems. Doan had his sweater retired six days before Iginla’s ceremony. No. 19 played 1,540 games, No. 12 played 1,554.) “He’d drop everything to come over and say, ‘Hi. How’s everything? How was your trip in?'” Clark said. “I remember how he made me feel. When Laughing, Gauthier recalled dressing-room debates, which could boil you walk into a team of NHL players and you’re trying to be one of them, over. having one of the best players in the league come over and make you feel comfortable …” “Whenever he had a point and we weren’t of the same opinion,” Gauthier said, “he’d always defend it till you wanted to give up — ‘OK, Jarome, Clark was eventually transferred to the Washington Capitals, for whom you win. Whatever.'” he would serve as captain. He applied the lessons he learned from Iginla. On the golf course, too, Iginla could be a challenge — to his partners’ “That’s actually something I made sure I did,” said Clark, a development patience. Keen to sink every putt, he obsessed on the greens, coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. “He made everyone feel significantly lengthening the rounds. comfortable, especially new guys or guys that got traded in or anybody he met. It was just one of those things that stuck out to me going “Painful,” Conroy said. “It feels like we’re at The Masters. Sometimes you forward.” just want to go out there, play, have fun, and go home. He wants to make it a round for the ages.” In the mornings, though, Iginla tightened his skates and left his smile in the dressing room. According to Ference, he prepared like a third- or Surprisingly, given the physical nature of many of his endeavours, it was fourth-liner — like “the vast batch of guys that are in the league, just video games — namely Age of Empires — that could spark Iginla. Fierce fighting to hang on.” That was the beauty of Iginla — elite skillset, grinder matches were contested between twosomes — Iginla and Conroy, mindset. Sidney Crosby’s the same. Gauthier and Shean Donovan, Ference and Robyn Regehr.

“That’s a rare group,” Ference said, who these days is the NHL’s director One chapter, in particular, illustrates the high stakes. As Gauthier of social impact, growth and legislative affairs. “We were so lucky. You’re remembers it, he and Donovan had stumbled upon an integral in-game coming to the rink and you’re seeing it every single practice, you’re shortcut, which they kept to themselves as they mercilessly whipped seeing it in the gym. You see how much work he does in the summer. Iginla and Conroy. When I think of Jarome, I don’t just think of the finished product on the “We lost 150 games in a row,” Conroy said. “They had a system. We ice. I think of all those hours and hours that he put in to make that could never figure it out, ‘How are these guys killing us?’ So we were happen. That’s something that most people don’t get to see, right? pissed off.”

“When the leader of your team and the most skilled guy on your team is Iginla, driven mad by the beatings, went online, tracking down the world’s that guiding light and the person that you’re striving to match in effort? top players via chat rooms and forums to gather intel. That was pretty special about Jarome. He wasn’t just cruising. He was always setting that mark of where people should be at. It’s magnetic “He was sneaky practising at home,” Gauthier said. “He got so good that when your leader’s doing that. He drags people up.” we couldn’t keep up with him.”

When people ask about Iginla, Ference doesn’t trot out the usual tales of Eventually, Gauthier and Donovan admitted that they’d been relying on a sizzling slappers and bloody punch-ups. secret trick.

No, he steers the conversation to non-game days in empty arenas. Gauthier laughed. “Jarome was so mad.”

“If you got lined up against Jarome in a one-on-one drill, it was, ‘Oh my How mad? god, here we go,'” Ference said. “It was crazy to go up against a guy like “Literally, from that video game,” Conroy said, “there was almost a fight that. A lot of top guys would get into a drill like that and dial it back. But on the tarmac.” Jarome, more often than not, he was there to win — practice, game, training. Whatever it was, he was going all out and you knew he was That furious will to win, as the hockey world is aware, sometimes did going all out, so you better bring it as well.” push Iginla to the snapping point. Bare-knuckled exchanges were part of what defined him. Pause. He was never afraid to drop his gloves — to punish a blueliner, to “He’d give you a hard time if you didn’t.” motivate his teammates, to satisfy his desire to win. Meaning Iginla didn’t save his best for the night. Even though it’s “I’m not sure how many guys score 500 goals in the NHL,” Gelinas said heartening to see a star rise to the occasion of, say, an elimination game, of the 45-man club, “but not too many guys who score 500 goals are able that is simply what is expected. “But when it’s a Wednesday morning to fight.” practice after Game 64 and he’s still pushing all his chips in and going at you just as hard,” Ference said, “that to me is where a player’s brilliance And it happened to be something he was good at. Craig Berube, who really comes through.” dropped the gloves more than all but a handful of NHLers in his career, insisted that Iginla could’ve earned a living as an enforcer. Forming the backbone of that brilliance is one element. Even as a junior, he had been keen. An over-the-top streak of competitiveness, deep and wide and, at times, frighteningly intense. “He would fight the other team’s tough guy,” Ed Dempsey, former Kamloops coach, once said. “You don’t want your 60-goal scorer On the ice, it was plain. breaking his hand on someone’s head, but there were times when he’d Off the ice, possibly even more so. ask me if he could go beat somebody up. I’d have to say no.”

For anything in which a winner could be declared, Iginla was game. But during the 2004 run, it was Iginla’s show and nobody dared to disrupt with his fight card. From their path-crossing days in Kamloops, remembers the Blazers’ up-and-coming right wingers — Iginla and — going First round: Vancouver’s Mattias Ohlund. Second round: Detroit’s Derian head to head in, well, you name it. Pizza eating. Wrestling. Hatcher. Third round: no one. (“I remember him chasing around Scott Hannan, trying to fight him,” Donovan said of the San Jose series, “but No different than Mario Lemieux and Alex Ovechkin in their early days, that was Iggy.”) Fourth round: Tampa’s Vincent Lecavalier. according to Playfair. “Great players on good teams. But once the team wins, then they become very well-respected players, because they were “He had a mean streak — he wasn’t going to be pushed around, he able to make the group around them better.” wasn’t going to give up any space,” Jim Playfair said, a one-time coach of the Flames. “Whoever it was, they’d shut Jarome down for two, three, Better as humans, too. four games and Jarome would have had enough. Maybe it was a game we were losing, he just went out there and tried to beat the wheels off a Remember this? Game 82 of the 2007-08 season in Vancouver, the night guy, just to let him know that it wasn’t going to be easy, that he wasn’t of Trevor Linden’s final appearance. Post-buzzer, Iginla made sure his prepared to be shut down for a seven-game series.” teammates paid their respects to the Canucks icon. (“Not to take anything away from (Linden’s farewell), but I think it was even cooler Often, there was a purpose. Sometimes, he was simply angry. when Iggy called all the guys back to give him a handshake because you don’t see that too often,” Adrian Aucoin said afterward.) Like when after leading the league in scoring in 2001-02, he took on Edmonton’s Eric Brewer — in the following preseason. “I’m sure you’ve been treated first class by Jarome — I was as a friend and a teammate,” Gelinas said. “Everyone that spent a little bit of time “I’m like, ‘Are you crazy?'” Conroy said. “And he said, ‘Well, I’m trying to with Jarome felt special.” set the tone for the season.’ I’m like, ‘Seriously?’ It didn’t matter. He couldn’t shut it off. That’s what separated him from star players. It put him After his Art Ross season, Iginla bought — and had engraved — Breitling in a whole different realm. He beat me up (before I was traded to watches for staffers and teammates as a sign of appreciation. Calgary), so I felt the wrath, too. He was old-school. (Stammered Iginla to reporters: “Oh no, I don’t want to talk about it. No. I don’t mean to be rude, but no. You can ask anybody else.”) “Jarome, he was the last of that breed.” The Flames didn’t downplay the generosity. And forever stubborn. Before a game against Colorado, Conroy warned Iginla about tangling with Todd Gill, average-sized but sneaky tough. “A classy move by a very classy individual,” Regehr said after receiving Sure enough, they mixed it up in the third period and Gill cut the Flames his Swiss timepiece. “To his credit, he didn’t forget anyone. A very nice captain under the eye. “So on the way to the bench,” Conroy said, “he’s thank-you gesture by him. As everyone knows, he’s always gracious in like, ‘Shut up. Don’t even say it.'” the media when he talks about his teammates, his linemates. He’s always the first guy to spread the thanks around.” He wasn’t choosy about combatants. Nor was he sentimental. On and on go the warm and fuzzies. Iginla squared off with a former teammate’s kid, Adam (son of Dave) Lowry, and, mitts shucked, challenged familiar faces such as Mark Such as the Calgary dudes who drove to the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake Giordano and Dion Phaneuf. There was no bluffing or posturing — Steve City without bothering to make arrangements for lodging. A chance Staios said it was one of the most unsettling things about defending meeting at a restaurant brought them into contact with Iginla, who, Iginla, the real possibility of a tussle. hearing about their predicament, tracked down a hotel room for the fans. Paid for it, too. That tale got play in Sports Illustrated. “He was the furthest thing away from being scared,” Gauthier said, a hockey analyst for RDS. “He didn’t take any crap from anybody. That Countless moments came and went without fanfare. made him a feared player. If you were taking a shot at Jarome, obviously you’re either tough enough to fight him or you’re nuts. Because you know For instance, one afternoon Iginla was leaving Father David Bauer Jarome wasn’t going to take it lightly.” Arena. Getting into his car, he noticed a man and his daughter waiting at the far side of the building. The young girl was wearing a Flames jersey Case in point, Ference’s first brush with Iginla and the somewhat wince- with No. 12 on the back. Since the fans were staring at a side entrance, inducing result. he could have departed unnoticed. Nope. He closed his car door, walked across the parking lot, tapped the man on the shoulder, introduced An undersized 16-year-old defenceman of the , he himself — first and last name — and asked how their day was going. decided to antagonize the Kamloops star. Before a faceoff, Ference told Father and daughter too stunned for words, Iginla merrily carried the Iginla that he’d expected a first-round pick to be, you know, way better. conversation.

And? Shockingly, no smackdown. “Everywhere we would go in Calgary — and even on the road for that “Immediately off the draw he blew by me and went in and scored,” matter, anywhere in Canada or the U.S. — Jarome would be the centre Ference said, laughing. “So I never chirped much after that.” of attention, based on the fact that he was that superstar, that iconic hockey player,” Alex Tanguay said, an NHL Network analyst. “He would That winter for the Blazers, 1995-96, Iginla collected 63 goals in 63 always have time to take pictures and sign autographs. He would never regular-season dates, then another 16 in 16 postseason dates. At the say no. That shows the character of the man. next level — there was never a minor-league pitstop — the scoring continued. “On the ice would be a different thing — almost like, ‘Don’t poke the bear.’ But off the ice he was absolutely a gentleman.” Two times he earned the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top marksmen. He bagged the 2001-02 — next closest that In a way, Iginla’s essential goodness did create restrictions for his day-to- season, Markus Naslund, was six points back. day life. Because fans couldn’t resist approaching him and because he couldn’t resist obliging. Twice Iginla reached 50 goals, 17 times 20 or more goals, en route to 625 tallies, tying him with Joe Sakic for 16th on the NHL’s all-time list. “I don’t think he ever went grocery shopping — it would’ve taken forever, Only eight players in history have registered more game-winners than his right?” Ference said. “That’s a byproduct of his fame and how well-loved 101. he was by everybody. But it was also a byproduct of the fact that he was so damn nice – so authentically nice and kind and generous and polite — On one of the most impressive nights, Feb. 23, 2003, at America West that if somebody did go out of their way to strike up a conversation, he Arena, Iginla converted four times — even strength, power play, was there, he was engaged.” shorthanded, empty net — in a 4-2 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes. For perspective on the singlehanded nature of the feat, know that two of He laughed. the goals were unassisted and another one was assisted by only goalie “I imagine if people invited him over for dinner, he’d probably say yes.” Roman Turek. The career arc is storybook stuff, really. Tellingly, that outpouring helped to improve the Flames’ record to, ahem, 19-30-14. From unheralded lad in St. Albert, passed over in the WHL bantam draft, to the face of an NHL franchise. “Prior to 2004, his sole focus on teams that (knew they) weren’t going to make the playoffs by Christmastime or January … stayed heavy on goal- Having that kind of profile is great in theory — and in dreams — but it scoring,” Playfair said. “I think he was identified as a really good player must be one mighty burden. Team expectations tied annually to your on a team that didn’t have much success.” performance.

Imagine that weight. Imagine wanting that weight.

Here’s what Dempsey, his old coach in Kamloops, said: “Just knowing him, he’ll want the Calgary Flames to be a very good hockey club. He’ll look at it like, ‘I’m the go-to guy. I’ve got to make this my team.'”

That comment? From back in 2001.

Iginla did get his wish — rather, he earned it. And the Flames were indeed his team winter after winter. Challenges and all, he shouldered the works.

“Jarome had no fear of anything — of players, of situations, of responsibility. He just wasn’t afraid of anything,” Gauthier said. “A certain amount of people can take that pressure. You have to have the personality for it, the competitive spirit for it.

“I don’t think Jarome ever demanded that attention or that responsibility. But he embraced it. It made him better.”

Then, after 16 years of heavy lifting, he left.

Scratched for the March 27, 2013, contest against the visiting Avalanche, Flames general manager Jay Feaster shipped Iginla away. And, like that, he was gone. Even though the move was expected, it had been jarring.

“I remember like yesterday the first game that he wasn’t in the dressing room — that we didn’t have a captain,” Tanguay said. “It was a different feeling.”

His popularity, however, endures.

When Conroy looks down from his press-box perch, he sees as many Iginla shirts as anybody else’s. “And he’s been gone for how long?”

After Saturday’s ceremony, of course, there’ll be one more Iginla sweater in the Saddledome.

For all time.

“It’s just the natural continuation of Jarome as a hockey player,” Gauthier said. “He had a major impact on this franchise and in the league. He was the type of player that everyone wanted to become. Now people want to become Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. But at one point a lot of guys wanted to become Jarome Iginla.

“So for me, it’s normal to see Jarome have his jersey retired and have the respect that he deserves … and for the fans to really embrace and cherish what he did, because they were privileged to see Jarome for so long.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134099 Carolina Hurricanes

Aho scores in OT, Hurricanes beat Panthers 4-3

BY PAUL GEREFFI ASSOCIATED PRESS MARCH 02, 2019 11:21 PM

SUNRISE, FLA. For the second time in 10 days, the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to beat the Florida Panthers. Sebastian Aho scored at 1:46 of overtime to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Saturday night for their fifth straight win. Aho took a pass from Nino Niederreiter and tipped in the puck from the edge of the crease for his team-leading 27th goal. Brett Pesce tied the score for Carolina near the midpoint of the third period. The Hurricanes scored two goals in the third period to beat the Panthers by the same 4-3 score on Feb. 21st. "It's almost the exact same game we had in here a week ago or so," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We got ahead and then we just cruised and all of a sudden, boom, boom, boom it was in the net. We didn't learn our lesson obviously, but we came here for two points and that's what we're going away with." Greg McKegg and Brock McGinn also scored for the Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek stopped 31 shots, including three breakaways in overtime. "I can't say enough about our goaltending; it's been great lately and it's been a real difference for us," Brind'Amour said. Henrik Borgstrom had two goals and an assist and Mark Pysyk also scored for the Panthers. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves in his NHL debut. Borgstrom broke a 2-2 tie with his second goal. Jamie McGinn passed from behind the net out to Borgstrom in front. Borgstrom fired a shot past Mrazek at 5:32 of the third. Pesce tied it again when he backhanded a loose puck from in front into the net at 8:19. The Panthers lost their third consecutive overtime game. "Up 3-2 with 8 minutes to go, it's a little tough to swallow," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. The Hurricanes got to the young goalie early, scoring two goals on the first three shots. McGinn put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 after he stole the puck away from defenseman Keith Yandle and fired a shot past Montembeault 1:26 in. McKegg made the score 2-0 when his shot from in front beat Montembeault on the stick side at 2:05. "I was real nervous at the beginning of the game, not the start I wanted with those two quick goals," Montembeault said. "I put them behind me and took a deep breath and everything went better after that." Borgstrom's shot from the left circle went high into the net at 5:01 to close the score to 2-1. Pysyk got the puck off the faceoff and wristed a shot past Mrazek with 8:10 left in the first to tie it. The goal was Pysyk's first of the season. NOTES: Montembeault, 22, was recalled from AHL Springfield Feb. 27 on an emergency basis. ... Hurricanes D Calvin de Haan missed his second game with an upper-body injury.

News Observer LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134100 Chicago Blackhawks

Corey Crawford comes out of his first two games back healthy and hopeful

Jimmy Greenfield

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford will get a rest Sunday against the Sharks after playing consecutive games in his return from a concussion. After allowing three goals in his first game back — a victory against the Ducks on Wednesday — Crawford allowed six Kings goals Saturday in a 6-3 loss, tying a season high. “I felt good the whole time,” Crawford said. “I just didn’t stop too many.” While Cam Ward will get the call against the Sharks, Crawford should start the bulk of the Hawks’ remaining 16 games after Sunday and hasn’t given up on the postseason. “We’ve gone on a streak before, so you definitely can’t count (us) out,” he said. “I think the teams ahead of us, they were kind of struggling for a bit and they’ve kind of picked it up. So for us, it’s just play our game and not worry about what’s coming. Just focus on each game and we definitely have the team to get in.” Road warriors Saturday’s loss was a notable exception, but the Hawks had been outstanding on the road over the last two months. They are 9-4-1 in their last 14 away from the United Center. Coach Jeremy Colliton pointed to the power play as the biggest reason. “It allows you to stay in a game,” Colliton said. “You keep it close and then you get your chance on the power play. I also think we’re ready to defend, we're ready to battle, we understand we're going to have to grind, and when we have that mentality we're tougher to beat.” The power play went 0-for-2 against the Kings, just the fourth time in their last 13 road games they haven’t produced a power-play goal. One-timers Patrick Kane's 19-game road point streak ended. It’s the sixth-longest streak in NHL history and the first of at least 19 games since 1989-90. ... Erik Gustafsson was scoreless and saw his multipoint streak end at four games. ... Crawford and Kings’ Jonathan Quick each had an assist to become the first opposing goaltenders to do so in the same game since March 17, 2012.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134101 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' playoff hopes take a big hit with a 6-3 loss to the woeful Kings

Jimmy Greenfield

Just a few minutes had passed since the Blackhawks' demoralizing 6-3 loss to the Kings. Coach Jeremy Colliton's was thinking about what he had witnessed Saturday at the Staples Center but also on his mind was what had taken place just a week ago. Back then, the Hawks played two of their best games of the season in losses to the Avalanche and Stars. Those games were acceptable to Colliton despite the outcomes. What the Hawks showed against the Ducks on Wednesday and against the Kings, who snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday, was not. "All of a sudden the Colorado (and) Dallas game it's like, wow, we do get it," Colliton said. "We know what we have to do and we just haven't been able to find that the last two games. We found a way to pull one out of a hat in Anaheim but we can't do that night after night. So we got to find a way to get back to it. "There's enough games left, but we're running out of time. We've got to find that level." Mathematically, the Hawks still are alive. They remained five points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot with several contenders playing Saturday night. But nine of the Hawks’ final 17 games are against teams who currently are in playoff position. The Hawks' top two lines were humming the first two minutes of the game, but a couple of penalties — too many men and a tripping call on Dylan Strome — ended any momentum and changed the complexion of the game. The Kings scored on both power plays and added another first-period goal for a 3-0 lead. The Hawks fought back to tie it early in the second on a pair of Brendan Perlini goals and Connor Murphy's third of the season, but the comeback was short-lived. Adrian Kempe scored with 11 minutes, 52 seconds left in the second to put the Kings back ahead 4-3, and they added a pair of in the third. Corey Crawford allowed six goals on 25 shots in his second straight start since returning from a concussion. "It was just a sloppy game overall in Anaheim and a sloppy game overall here," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "I don’t know why. I certainly don’t think we’re in a position where we can’t respect our opponents. If anything, they should not be having respect for us the way we’ve been playing." The Kings, the second-lowest scoring team in the NHL, set their season high with the six goals. On Sunday, the Hawks face the Sharks, the NHL's second-highest-scoring team. It will be a challenge, to say the least. "It's an opportunity to respond," Colliton said. "We need to find that professional game, that playoff-style effort. If we do that we have a chance to win. We may not win but we have a chance to win. So that's how we got to approach it."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134102 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Corey Crawford gives up 6 goals, but feels good after 2 starts

By Jason Lieser

LOS ANGELES — It’ll be time to scrutinize Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford’s performance soon. For now, the most important thing is that he keeps playing. Crawford came off a two-month hiatus with a reasonably good game to beat the Ducks, but couldn’t bail the Hawks out in their 6-3 meltdown against the Kings on Saturday. He stopped 19 of 25 shots as Los Angeles repeatedly ripped through the defense for prime scoring opportunities. “I felt good the whole time,” Crawford said. “I just didn’t stop too many.” The Hawks fell behind 2-0 in the first five minutes when Dustin Brown got loose for a semi-breakaway and Sean Walker blasted one through a crowd at the net on a shot Crawford probably never saw. Both goals were on Kings power plays. Brendan Perlini scored twice and Connor Murphy added one to make it 3-3, but the Kings kept firing. buried the Hawks with 15 minutes left on a point-blank shot that spun end over end, and Crawford lost track of it. “We didn’t give him much help,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “They had a lot of clear looks.” The Hawks yielded seven high-danger scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick, and the Kings scored on four of them. Crawford’s play of the day had nothing to do with minding the net. He saw the Kings make an inattentive line change early in the second period and send the puck to Perlini at the blue line for a breakaway goal. It was Crawford’s fifth assist, the most among NHL goalies. In his first two games since going on Injured Reserve with a concussion, he stopped 48 of 57 shots. He had a .902 save percentage in 23 games before the injury. He said he has felt good physically and expects to continue improving with more game action. Now he likely gets an extended break with Colliton almost certain to play Cam Ward, who has .911 save percentage and 3.11 goals against average in his last nine appearances, at San Jose on Sunday. Ward will have gotten a week off since stopping 25 of 29 in the loss to Dallas. The rotation gives Crawford four days to rest and critique his play before his next possible start, which would be Thursday at home against the Sabres. “Just practice hard,” he said of plans in the meantime. “I don’t know what there is to work on, but you’re just trying to stop as many pucks in practice as you can and just come back out and battle.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134103 Chicago Blackhawks The Hawks are one more bad week from being forced to concede the season, and a trip to San Jose is a hazardous way to begin this one. It’s hard to believe they can upend a championship contender. Blackhawks stumble in 6-3 loss to Kings, dampening playoff hopes “There’s still games left, but it’s definitely frustrating,” Keith said. “Time is ticking here. Each game that goes by is a wasted opportunity. It was a big two points today that we missed out on. The desperation level to play By Jason Lieser the right way has to be there.” It surely wasn’t Saturday, and the Hawks seem to be further from it than they realize. LOS ANGELES — This might be where it ends for the Blackhawks.

Right here at Staples Center, on the very ice where they used to battle the Kings for the Western Conference throne, they slipped and sputtered Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 Saturday afternoon in a game they needed. The Hawks fell behind big in the opening minutes and lost 6-3 to the last-place team in the conference. There are no must-win scenarios with a month left in the season, but they can’t throw away games against teams like these. “I certainly don’t think we’re in a position where we can’t respect our opponents,” Duncan Keith said. “If anything, they should not be having respect for us the way we’ve been playing. “I don’t know how to explain that. It just goes back to having a mindset of what we have to do and being focused and playing a predictable game for each other to make it easier on everybody. It’s just discipline.” They showed little of that against the Kings, who had lost 10 straight and are treating the remainder of this season as a prelude to the next one. The Hawks are on the brink of entering that same phase. It has been a hard fall for two clubs that alternated trips to the Stanley Cup Finals from 2012 through ’14. This defeat came three days after an unconvincing performance an hour down the road in Anaheim, where Patrick Kane’s last-minute goal saved them against the hapless Ducks. Kane said their chances of making the playoffs would be “looking pretty grim” if they hadn’t eked that one out, but brushed the thought away like a bad dream. He can’t do that now. The Hawks (63 points) are seven points out of the second wild-card spot, and they’re unlikely to bite into that deficit when they visit the Sharks (84 points) on Sunday. With so much at stake as they try to make their dramatic turnaround this season mean something with a playoff berth, the Hawks delivered an absolute dud. The bright spot Keith and coach Jeremy Colliton pointed to was the “great first five minutes” they played, but that was revisionist history. It was more like two minutes. The Hawks botched a line change 1:52 into the game, and the Kings scored quickly on the power play. Their next power play came less than a minute after that goal when Dylan Strome committed a tripping penalty, and they scored again. It was 3-0 before Brendan Perlini got them on the board. Other than those first couple of shifts, the Hawks were a mess. Colliton lamented the lack of “mental sharpness,” which is astonishing considering how much was on the line. He saw the approach he wanted a week ago despite the Hawks losing to Colorado and Dallas, then it inexplicably disappeared. He wants that to be their minimum, but they were far below it on the first two games of this road trip. “We’ve got to find a way to get back to it,” he said. “There’s enough games left, but we’re running out of time here. We’ve got to find that level.” Perlini scored again at the beginning of the second, and the Hawks tied it on Connor Murphy’s fluky goal that ricocheted off a defenseman’s leg and fluttered past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. That’s all they got. They managed two shots the rest of the second period and spent most of the third down two goals. Corey Crawford allowed six on 25 shots, but the Kings got so many clean looks left and right. “The game was right there,” Keith said. “But we still do a lot of things, lately especially, that we’ve gotta tighten up.” All the talk about what they could do and what they should correct has gotten tired. Do it or don’t. 1134104 Chicago Blackhawks

Kings break 10-game skid off Blackhawks' shaky defense

John Dietz Updated 3/2/2019 7:25 PM

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are on pace for career seasons. Alex DeBrincat might score 45 goals. Brandon Saad has bounced back with a vengeance. In the end, none of it will matter for the Blackhawks because coach Jeremy Colliton's team continues to play shaky defense and absolutely, positively cannot figure out a way to slow down the opponent's power play. That's exactly what happened in Los Angeles on Saturday as the Kings pumped in 2 power-play goals in the first five minutes and snapped a 10- game losing streak with a 6-3 victory. The Hawks were down 3-0 after 15:13 and fought back to tie it thanks to 2 goals by Brendan Perlini and another by Connor Murphy, but Adrian Kempe scored just 71 seconds after Murphy's tally and the Kings went on to post their first win since Feb. 7. "It's tough when you have to come from behind the whole game," Colliton told reporters. "You kind of run out of energy. Right away we're chasing it. … "That's no formula to win important games in March and April, that's for sure." No, it's not. And the penalty kill formula has been poisoned most of the season as the Hawks have killed off just 72.6 percent of opponents' power plays. The next worst team this century was the 2017-18 New York Islanders (73.2), and you have to go back to 1985-86 to find a team with a worst percentage than these Hawks. The bottom line is that playoff teams do not finish dead last on the penalty kill. That feat hasn't been accomplished since 1996-97, when Montreal qualified in a 26-team NHL. The Hawks (27-29-9) have now allowed 2 or more power-play goals 12 times, and they are 3-8-1 in those contests. Personnel-wise, it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot the Hawks can do. So the guys who are out there need to be willing to sacrifice more by blocking shots no matter the cost. The Hawks had just 8 blocks against Los Angeles, and 12 in losses to Colorado and Dallas last weekend. Against the Kings, it took only a minute, 52 seconds for the Hawks to stub their collective toe with a too-many-men on the ice penalty. Colliton's squad did a decent job at first, but Drew Doughty spotted Dustin Brown skating ahead of Murphy and Slater Koekkoek, and Doughty zipped a perfect stretch pass to his teammate. Brown's initial shot was stopped, but he easily slapped home the rebound to put the Kings up 1-0. Just 32 seconds later, Dylan Strome was called for tripping Jeff Carter, and the Kings cashed in again when Sean Walker's shot sailed past Crawford at 4:42. Again, the Hawks penalty killers did a decent job for a while, but it wasn't enough. Next up for the Hawks are the San Jose Sharks, who rank fourth on the power play and are 20-5-5 in their own building. "Time's ticking here," said Duncan Keith, "and each game that goes by it's a wasted opportunity. That was a big two points today that we missed out on. It just seems like the desperation level to play the right way has to be there. "We've got to have a good start -- and I think we had a good start tonight. We really did. I felt that way. And then we took a penalty and they scored, and we ended up getting another penalty and they scored again. "It's tough. They got momentum, they started getting their legs and skating after that. It's a fine line, but it's about finding a way. "Having that heart to find a way."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134105 Chicago Blackhawks

Four takeaways: Blackhawks running out of time after deflating loss to Kings

By Charlie Roumeliotis March 02, 2019 6:00 PM

Here are four takeaways from the Blackhawks' 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Saturday: 1. A forgettable start The Blackhawks couldn't have started any worse against a Kings team that went into Saturday's game on a 10-game losing streak (0-6-4). In the first five minutes, the Blackhawks committed two minor penalties and the Kings made them pay both times. The Kings finished the opening frame with three goals; they had only 38 first-period goals on the season going into the game, which ranked second-fewest in the NHL. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have now given up 89 goals in the first period. No other team has allowed more than 73. That's an area they've been trying to get better at all season long but haven't been able to fix. 2. Sloppy defensive effort This was one of the sloppiest games in recent memory for the Blackhawks. It was hard to count the number of times they were outworked in their own end and passes were off target, whether it was exiting their own zone or cycling in the offensive zone, several of which prevented several scoring chances. Part of that is lack of focus. Another is lack of execution. It appeared to be both in this game. And that's inexcusable in a game where you're fighting for your playoff lives against one of the worst scoring and defensive teams in the NHL. 3. Secondary scoring wasted The Blackhawks found the back of the net three times, and it was their depth players that covered the scoresheet. Brendan Perlini had his fifth career multi-goal effort and first as a member of the Blackhawks, with Connor Murphy potting the third goal for his third of the season. The assists? Slater Koekkoek, Dylan Strome, Corey Crawford, Chris Kunitz and John Hayden. The Blackhawks' top horses were silenced. Patrick Kane has been held pointless in two of his past three games after going 20 straight recording at least one point. Jonathan Toews had his seven-game point streak snapped. And Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad were limited to a combined three shots on goal. 4. Running out of time Things can change quickly in the Western Conference, but the Blackhawks' margin for error is just about at zero. The trade deadline has passed, playoff contenders have loaded up and the calendar has flipped to March. The dogs days of the season are over. The Blackhawks will be getting everyone's best effort from here on out, and it doesn't matter who they play. It's fair to wonder whether coming up empty last weekend against Colorado and Dallas was the turning point considering they played well in both of those games but didn't get the outcome they deserved. They fought so hard to get there and then saw it slip away in the blink of an eye. The Blackhawks bounced back with a win in Anaheim, but didn't play nearly their best. They stole a regulation victory. They couldn't do the same in Los Angeles, and time is running out.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134106 Chicago Blackhawks about money, but part of it is if you’re not really making the money to justify putting that wear and tear on your body, it just didn’t really add up. So there’s a number of factors that kind of all played into it.” How two former Blackhawks rediscovered their passion for hockey in Kyle Baun, left, has 19 goals and 35 assists in 50 games with the Belfast Belfast Giants this season. (William Cherry/Presseye) Baun weighed his options and ultimately chose to go to Europe for the By Scott Powers 2018-19 season. But he decided so late, few teams still needed North American imports. Mar 2, 2019 The Belfast Giants did, though. Baun also had some connections there, as former Colgate teammates Spiro Goulakos and Darcy Murphy played for the 2017-18 Giants. Belfast was also coached by Adam Keefe, the BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Plenty of countries around the world offer younger brother of Marlies head coach . former NHL players a chance to play outside the NHL. Baun was intrigued by their pitches. Belfast wasn’t the first place he Sweden is a popular destination. Switzerland is up there. Russia can be associated with hockey, but he liked what heard, and knowing people an adventure. Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic have there helped. He liked the fact he’d be playing with and against former competitive leagues with passionate fans. NHL players in the Elite League, which includes teams throughout the United Kingdom. The Giants also offered Baun the Kyle Baun chose none of them. He went to Belfast, Northern Ireland and opportunity to get his MBA at Ulster University. hasn’t regretted it for a second. One major reason Baun signed with the Giants was he felt like he could Less than four years ago, Baun felt like he was on top of the hockey have fun playing hockey again. world. He had been pursued by 18 NHL teams as a college free agent out of Colgate in the spring of 2015. He signed with the Blackhawks, “I think that was one of the things I was searching for and I sort of spoke made his NHL debut shortly after and had Joel Quenneville raving about to with my agent,” Baun said. “I think I could have probably waited out his abilities after three games. Baun’s future seemed bright. and found a better deal in Germany or something like that, not 100 percent, you never know. A big part of this for me, I wasn’t really having Baun was on an even higher high to begin the following season, as he fun anymore. And not that’s it’s politics, at the end of the day your play is made the Blackhawks’ NHL roster out of camp. Burning a year of his enough proof if you should be in the lineup or not, but there was stuff I contract the season before had factored into him making his NHL debut, was seeing that was just frustrating. I completely get it. It’s the way it’s but this time he had truly earned a spot in the Blackhawks’ lineup. He designed over there. It works. But I kind of saw where I was fitting in with was in uniform at ice level as the Blackhawks raised their Stanley Cup these pieces, and I was like I don’t know if I really want to put myself banner to begin the 2015-16 season. He was playing for the defending through that. champs. Life was good. “Talking to my parents, agent, friends and whatnot, I think the big thing But Baun soon learned how quickly life can change in the NHL. He was a for me was to try to find the love the game, like why I was playing in the healthy scratch the next three games before being reinserted into the first place. You have guys like and Patty Dwyer (former lineup against the Washington Capitals on the road on Oct. 15, when he NHL players) over here. Everyone’s here to have a good time, but it’s played 8:43 in a 4-1 loss. His last shift ended with 50.1 seconds super competitive. We’re on a good team that has an opportunity to win. I remaining in the third period. think that’s everybody’s No. 1 motivation. That was his last NHL shift — probably ever. “So it’s not like you’re coming over here and it’s a big party. You still have Baun was reassigned to the AHL the next day. His pro career stalled that competitive fire. But coming from where I was, I have been given an soon after, when a teammate’s skate blade ripped through his wrist and opportunity to be on the power play and get some points and almost get forced him to miss nearly three months of the AHL season. He was that confidence back. Which is something I was probably missing back recalled by the Blackhawks late in the season but just as a black ace for home, which again plays into why I wasn’t 100 percent committed to the playoffs. He re-signed with the Blackhawks on a two-year deal that putting in those 2-3 years I probably would have needed to if I wanted an offseason and spent the entire 2016-17 season in the AHL. opportunity to get back.” Baun was a candidate for a change-of-scenery trade, and the Signing Baun was a big deal for the Giants, since many former NHL Blackhawks made it happen just before the 2017-18 season, dealing him players are in their 30s when they begin playing in the EIHL. to the Montreal Canadiens for Andreas Martinsen. Baun played for the And so far, Baun’s lived up to expectations. He’s been better than a point Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval until he was traded to the Toronto a game and is 13th in the league with 54 points in 50 games. In February Maple Leafs in February, and spent the rest of the season with the alone, he had games of four and five points. in the AHL. He was a healthy scratch throughout their Calder Cup run. “Unsure about Kyle coming in here, exactly what we were getting, the person I could lean on was my brother, who had him half a year in Baun found himself at a crossroads when the season ended last June. Toronto,” said Adam Keefe, whose team is currently atop the EIHL He had just turned 26, his NHL contract was expiring. The grind of the standings and will play in the Champions League for the first time next AHL had beaten him down and he wasn’t happy. season. “The main thing he told me about Kyle was he never stops Making it back to the NHL wasn’t an impossibility, but it would require a working. He’s always a workhorse. He never stops moving his feet. That lot of effort and time. He wasn’t sure if he had it in him. kind of commitment and work ethic over here, plus the talent he has, you can see the success he’s had on the ice. He’s been a massive part of “I think for me to get back to where I was, it was going to be another 2-, this throughout the entire team year here. 3-year grind down in the American League at least, kind of minimum,” Baun said. “I felt my window or my opportunity had closed to get back up “One we’re extremely happy to have and hopefully we can convince him top at least for the moment. For me, I just wasn’t 100 percent committed. to come back because he’s been an amazing piece. And obviously with I really worked hard for everything to get to that level. I had a bad wrist his youth as well, he’s still got a lot of hockey left in him we hope. I know injury and a couple bad bounces that didn’t really go my way. I don’t for sure he’s enjoyed his time here. I just want these guys to have really want to blame it on that. But I thought I had done everything I could success. I want trophies for them. I know how it feels to win something. to get to where I wanted. You lose touch of that when you’re worried about your own personal career. We want them to feel that success. Hopefully Kyle can achieve “Maybe that fire that was once there to get me back wasn’t really there so that here as well.” much. I don’t know. It was a lot of reflection, I guess. I think I would have been lying to myself if I tried to stick it out for another year. I was pretty Baun isn’t sure what the future holds yet. happy, I got what I really needed to from over there, and I don’t think “I’m going to go back home,” Baun said. “I haven’t 100 percent decided hockey was necessarily something I was committed to playing until I was what I’m going to do next year. I’m leaning towards playing another year. 40. Unless obviously you’re in the NHL, it’s one thing. I respect all those I had conversations here, whether I’ll come back or not is kind of up in guys who have those long careers whether it be the minors or Europe or the air. Part of the reasons to do the one year (MBA program) was kind whatever, but I have other passions and stuff that I do want to pursue at of keep my options depending whether I liked it, wasn’t stuck. If I really some point. wanted to, I could come back, play more golf, that kind of thing. I don’t “Another big part of it for me too was the wear and tear on the body. It’s know.” not like I play the toughest game, but I do skate around and run into the As for his NHL career likely being over, Baun has come to terms with it. boards, play a little bit harder, going to the net and stuff. Not that it’s all “Something that no one can really take away from me,” he said. “To be Northern Ireland, especially Belfast, is a complicated place. It’s able to work with some of the best in the world. Disappointing that it progressed in many ways, but will probably always have a foot in the never transpired into maybe more. Everyone’s dream is to at play a past. game in the NHL and be there. I just tried to make the most of it.” Peace walls, first built in 1969, still separate Catholic and Protestant Baun isn’t the only Belfast Giant who wishes his time with the neighborhoods. Gates close at night and open in the morning between Blackhawks would’ve lasted a bit longer. those communities. Jim Vandermeer was traded from Philadelphia to Chicago during the What would happen if those gates remained open? One local resident 2003-04 season, a dark time for the organization. He endured some said, “Probably nothing, but no one wants to find out.” losing seasons with the Blackhawks, but finally started to see the light a few years later. Vandermeer saw not only Duncan Keith’s skill as his The United Kingdom’s pending exit from Europe has many concerned sometimes-defenseman partner, but also the potential of Patrick Kane about what could happen if checkpoint borders return between Northern and Jonathan Toews, who were in their first season. Ireland and Ireland. The fear is that the peace that’s been built over the last 20-plus years would crumble, and Northern Ireland would go back to But Vandermeer wouldn’t benefit from the manifestation of that potential. times of violence, which in the past was called “The Troubles.” The Blackhawks traded him back to the Flyers for Ben Eager in December 2007, and he was on the Calgary Flames when the Giants coach Adam Keefe’s knowledge of Northern Ireland was limited Blackhawks eliminated them in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs when he arrived in Belfast as a player in 2011. But in the eight years in 2009. He watched from afar as they won the Stanley Cup in 2010, since, it’s grown. He met his wife while in Belfast. He immersed himself 2013 and 2015. into the culture. Belfast has become his home. “Obviously very happy with the guys I played with, obviously the city of “I always say I vacation back to Canada now,” Keefe said. Chicago was unbelievable, and I loved it there,” Vandermeer said. “But to Keefe doesn’t struggle to sell Belfast or the Giants to future players. He’s miss out on an opportunity like that and to be a part of that really sucked. lived and breathed it for nearly a decade, and it’s changed his life. Like I said, couldn’t be more happy for the guys who had done it, did it again and then did it again.” “Obviously it’s got a bit of a troubled past,” Keefe said. “With that, it builds a lot of character. I think the people are really friendly, but some people Vandermeer’s NHL career came to an end after the 2012-13 season, may paint Northern Ireland with the wrong brush, I’d say. People are very which he spent playing for the in the AHL while under friendly. Most people for the most part are very happy. It’s a great place contract with the Vancouver Canucks. to live. It’s got that big-city feel within a small town. Easy to get around. I Next, Vandermeer played two seasons in Switzerland before being just think there wasn’t a whole lot to dislike about Northern Ireland when I bought out of his contract’s third year. He still wanted to play at the age got here. of 35, but he also joined the European free agent pool too late in the “I know that’s my easiest recruitment tool. I know that they’re going to summer of 2015. enjoy their time here. I know they’re going to love it. And it never fails “By that time, all the European teams have their import slots filled up, so me.” you got to wait for somebody to get hurt or somebody to play horribly But Keefe makes players aware of Belfast’s past when they arrive and enough that they get rid of guys,” Vandermeer said. “So I was just back advises them to avoid a few topics. in Vancouver, just hanging out, working out, enjoying a little bit of time off actually. I then had a couple offers that didn’t really fit. Next thing you “We give them a briefing what happened, just stay away from the topic of knew it was close to February. It was getting on a year of not playing an religion and obviously ‘The Troubles,’” Keefe said. “Don’t go to areas you actual game. I figure better I play somewhere or that’d be it.” wouldn’t go to back home. I think for the most part that’s pretty logical. I guess the main part would be the religion because different people react Jim Vandermeer is in his fourth season with the Belfast Giants. (William to it differently. Even though we may not understand that, we just don’t Cherry/Presseye) want guys speaking about it. Vandermeer also knew a few people playing and coaching for the Giants “I’ve been here for eight years and we’ve never had a problem. I think and decided to give Belfast a try. Four seasons later, to his surprise, he people generally understand the majority of our guys aren’t from Belfast. and his family haven’t left. I think we’ve never had any problems here and guys keep wanting to “Never thought it would be, but we really enjoy our time here, my wife come back. A lot of them have made their home here including myself. and kids,” Vandermeer said. “They’re in here in school. My wife’s done There’s obviously a reason for this.” some school and I’m getting my masters in sports management. We’re Vandermeer has made a home in Belfast, too, and his advice to just playing hockey, touring, it’s good fun.” newcomers is about the same as Keefe’s regarding politics and religion. Keefe has welcomed back Vandermeer each year. “You just let guys know not necessarily make your thoughts known, I “I think he and his family found a nice little spot that they enjoy,” Keefe guess,” Vandermeer said. “Most guys from North America know little or said. “I think he’s a big part of the team, and I think he’s enjoying being a nothing about Belfast and the history when they come here. People here big part of the team. I guess it’s a hidden gem here in the UK. Not only in Belfast are great. It depends on where you live, I guess. Most of the here in Belfast, but the league. The league has continuously grown each guys live right close to the rink. They’re close to downtown. year from where it is now. It’s a highly competitive league. If you’re not “There’s not one affiliation or another. The team is neutral everything with willing to compete hard, you’re probably not going to have success.” who they hire, their colors, everything. It’s a good sporting event. It’s one Vandermeer became a player-coach for the Giants this season. He still of the first ones in Ireland and Northern Ireland had that doesn’t have one loves playing, but he’s also thinking of what’s next. political or religious affiliation or another. It’s pretty cool to bring the whole community together and just enjoy sports and have some fun. “It’s keeping options open, I guess,” Vandermeer said. “I’m doing the masters in sports management. I’m thinking either coaching or “For me, I didn’t know a whole lot. But once I signed, I definitely looked managing. It’s also a business management degree as well. Just trying to into it and was made aware of what had gone on here. The city has been get all the experience I can get before I get a real job. through hell and back. It’s really starting to come around now. They’re starting to revive parts of downtown. It’s coming around.” “I was always interested in seeing it from their (coaches’) side. I think I see the game kind of differently than guys. I think see more little things Baun, a Toronto native, also knew little of Belfast. The thought of playing than guys do. That’s just my own opinion, I don’t know if I actually do or golf during the season attracted him. He plans to get up to Royal not. I think I do. So seeing it, I’ll be 39 and playing with some guys in their Portrush Golf Club, which will host the British Open this summer. The city early 20s, pass on some knowledge and try to make them a little bit social life and living arrangements seemed favorable. better. That’s what I’m here for.” Baun has learned a lot about the city’s history in his short time there. Like Baun, Vandermeer isn’t sure what exactly his future holds. He just Attending Ulster University has also given him the opportunity to interact knows he’s still enjoying himself and his body has allowed him to keep with lifelong Belfast residents and hear what they went through. playing. “It’s kind of cool, a lot of the guys I go to school with between 30 and 35, “So far, so good,” Vandermeer said. “I think if I didn’t want to win or give so they’re local people,” Baun said. “You hear the stories they tell, which a shit about anything I wouldn’t be playing. I wouldn’t have played is a unique first-hand experience that you maybe don’t hear if you’re a anywhere really. Still really enjoy the game. Just really a big kid having tourist or whatever. fun, obviously working hard, trying to win and stuff, do the right things, try to do the right things.” “You definitely don’t get into the politics of it all. When they refer back to it being a war zone, it’s pretty crazy when they get into that stuff. How far it’s come since then is pretty impressive.” As the city has progressed, so has its love for hockey. The Giants draw 5,000-5,500 fans a game. More kids have picked up the sport. Giants assistant coach Rod Stewart runs the Junior Giants, a youth hockey program, and its numbers have increased over the years. Keefe believes the future is bright for growing hockey in Belfast and throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. “We have to realize we play a bigger part of the community,” Keefe said. “I think growing the game is a massive part of that. It’s a way to give, I guess, youth another choice of a sport they can play. Obviously, it helps build leadership, I can go through the traits of a hockey player. It certainly pushed me in the right direction in life. The more we can do that for our youth not just in Belfast but the entire island of Ireland down south and up north. I think we need more arenas. That’s the No. 1 goal for us off the ice is to get a second (ice) bed, then a third bed, then a fourth one. Once you do that, the old saying, if you build it, they will come.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134107 Colorado Avalanche

Fighting belongs in the NHL, but let’s prevent the pummeling

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: February 28, 2019 at 2:49 pm | UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 5:29 PM

Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole never had much of a chance against Tom Wilson on Feb. 7 in Washington. Wilson pummeled Cole in a one- sided fight in which the two linesmen stepped in too late and Cole was left with a broken orbital bone. Cole had surgery the day after the fight and missed 11 games before returning to the lineup Friday at San Jose. I’m all for fighting in hockey because — as the NHL and others believe — it serves as a deterrent for cheap shots and other dangerous plays. We need to settle things with fisticuffs, not broken necks because a dangerous hit is the only recourse. Players who don’t want to fight are deterred from making dirty hits. I’ve covered enough college hockey to know the NCAA game can be filthy dirty and dangerous because of the full face cages/shields and severe punishment for fighting. The college game can turn into gladiators on ice, a much more dangerous game. Fighting must remain in the NHL, a statement that has nothing to do with entertainment value. But we can’t allow guys like Cole to get beat to a pulp, and Cole’s left eye certainly looked pulpy after Wilson connected on eight or so shots after he had clearly won the fight. I asked Cole about the argument Thursday after he was cleared to play with a protective plastic face shield and, as I expected, he didn’t want to say much. “They have a tough job,” Cole said of the linesmen. “So I’m not going to comment or critique or criticize the job that they do. I think there’s an argument that can be made either way. But I’m going to stay out of it.” About his injury in general, Cole said: “It’s one of those things — it happens in the game of hockey.” The guy with the broken orbital bone isn’t complaining about what happened. Cole fought Wilson after delivering an illegal check on Capitals star forward Evgeny Kuznetsov. Cole received a five-minute major penalty for interference and game misconduct. Wilson got a game misconduct and minor penalty for instigating. Both also received fighting majors. Case closed. The situation was settled. Except perhaps the linesmen could have prevented the pummeling. Lost star power. Entering Saturday’s games, the teams for six of the NHL’s top-10 scorers were out of playoff position, and Team Canada was looking mighty loaded to begin the World Championship in May. Canadien superstars Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh), Connor McDavid (Edmonton) and Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) don’t have their teams in a playoff spot, along with American Patrick Kane (Chicago), Mikko Rantanen (Avalanche) of Finland and Germany’s Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton). Kane, McDavid, MacKinnon and Rantanen were among the NHL’s top- six scorers. Besides the league-leading and Stanley Cup-favorite Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton and Colorado were the only teams will multiple players in the top-10. What does this say about hockey? Playoff teams must have enhanced depth and excellent goaltending, because superstars can only do so much. Lose baby, lose. The NHL cellar-dwelling Ottawa Senators took a six- game losing streak into Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay, a skid that started shortly before their trade-deadline firesale. The Sens are stuck on 49 points, with 17 remaining games after playing the Lightning. The Avs would like to see Ottawa lose the rest of the way, ensuring that Colorado will have the best chance at winning the draft lottery and obtain the No. 1 pick in the June draft. The Avs also own the Sens’ third-round pick, 63rd overall, as the last of the seven-piece return from the seemingly glorious Matt Duchene trade to Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2017.

Denver Post: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134108 Colorado Avalanche defensive side he’s pretty good defending the rush, he’s got good gaps, he’s getting back for pucks and he’s sealing out in front of the net.”

His ascension gives the Avs less reason to negotiate a contract The Avalanche’s Ryan Graves was a clumsy kid. Now he’s playing in the extension for defenseman Patrik Nemeth, a pending unrestricted free NHL with boyhood buddy Nathan MacKinnon agent, and instead focus on re-signing Graves as a restricted free agent. Colorado also has defensemen Erik Johnson, Barrie, Ian Cole, Mark Barberio and Sam Girard under contract next season and want to By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post introduce Cale Makar and Conor Timmins — their top picks of the 2017 draft — to the blue line. PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 12:00 pm | UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 5:16 PM Cole returned from an 11-game injury absence Friday, which is why Graves was scratched. But the rookie unquestionably has a bright future with the Avs. At best, Ryan Graves was a cumbersome teenage hockey player. His “This is a big time for me, to show that I can play,” Graves said. “And I skating stride was inefficient and his stick-handling unwieldy. Boyhood think a lot of what will happen with me will depend on how I play the rest buddy Nathan MacKinnon called him clumsy. of the year. As far as next year, I’m not really looking that far ahead.” MacKinnon now calls Graves his NHL teammate for the Avalanche. The Graves looks back with pride, knowing the clumsy from eastern Canada proud Nova Scotians grew up four hours apart — MacKinnon in Cole has already made it far. Harbour and Graves in Yarmouth — but they knew each other from spring hockey tournaments as kids and from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2011-13 as young men. Denver Post: LOADED: 03.03.2019 “He was always huge growing up, always the biggest kid on the ice,” MacKinnon said of Graves, who now stands 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds and was partnered with Tyson Barrie on Colorado’s second pairing before being scratched in Friday’s game at San Jose. “I just think his skill caught up with his height. He’s developed into a great two-way defenseman and it’s really cool to have him on our team. Being where he’s from, no one makes it from there.” That’s the thing about far-eastern Canadiens, they feel like their country’s national pastime doesn’t include them. Graves and MacKinnon are no exception. “We have a lot to talk about, being from the same providence back home,” MacKinnon said. “We always have a chip on our shoulder. From Eastern Canada, we’re kind of forgotten about. You got the west — Toronto and Montreal, and that’s as far east as people really go and talk about. So we’re obviously proud of where we’re from.” MacKinnon and Graves, both 23, were drafted No. 1 and No. 110, respectively, in the 2013 NHL draft. MacKinnon was 17 at the time, Graves 18. MacKinnon was considered a first-rounder since he was 14. Graves wasn’t even considered a potential draft pick until he was 17. “I was big and clumsy,” Graves said. “I was always one of the bigger kids and I could shoot. But as far as hands and footwork and little parts of the game, (they) took a long time to come for me. They really didn’t start to come around since I was probably 17. I worked really hard on my skating and technique and things. I was always powerful but I didn’t have edgework and being smooth on the agility side. I was pretty bad. I started working really heavy when I was 16 and it started to come around with my draft year at 17.” Graves owes many thanks to his skating coach, Doug Shepherd, who is from Gander, Newfoundland. While playing in the QMJHL for the Prince Edward Island Rocket from 2011-13, Graves trained with him three times a week at 5 a.m. There were no pucks involved. Just edge work. “I credit him for a lot of my stride,” Graves said. “I’m not going to say I’m a great skater, but I’m also 6-5. It’s a give-and-take but Doug brought my game a long way.” Graves was drafted by the New York Rangers, but only played for their American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford, Conn., for three-plus seasons before he was traded to Colorado on Feb. 26, 2018, for defenseman Chris Bigras, whom the Avs selected 31st overall in 2013. Graves finished last season with the Avs’ then-AHL affiliate in San Antonio, and began this season with Colorado’s new partner in Loveland, the Colorado Eagles. But Graves had a terrific training camp and preseason with the Avs and coach Jared Bednar said in early October he expected Graves to be the first defenseman called up from the Eagles. Graves made his NHL debut Dec. 27 at Vegas and has played 20 games with the Avs heading into Friday’s game at San Jose. He looks like a keeper. “I feel like he’s a player trying to prove himself and he’s doing a pretty good job of it,” Bednar said. “For me, just the decisions he’s making with the puck — simple puck plays, advancing the puck past the other team’s forecheck, being physical when he needs to be. He’s been helping on the offensive side of things. He’s pretty good from the O-zone blue line. He’s got a good shot. He’s adding a little bit of offense to our line, but on the 1134109 Colorado Avalanche He initially had a black eye, but the bruising and swelling decreased over time to where his skin has regained its normal color.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Cole said of his vision returning to normal. Ian Cole’s vision ‘still a work in progress’ upon his return from orbital “It’s been steadily progressing every day for the past three weeks, and bone injury it’s still getting better.” Cole’s return to the lineup comes at what is the most pivotal stage in the By Ryan S. Clark Avalanche’s season. He missed 11 games, and in that time the Avs have gone from a team in freefall to buyers at the NHL trade deadline. General Mar 2, 2019 manager Joe Sakic acquired veteran forward Derick Brassard in a trade to help chase one of the Western Conference’s two wild-card spots for a second consecutive postseason berth. SAN JOSE, Calif. – From the moment Ian Cole was cleared to return, The Avalanche’s defensive play, considered to be one of the issues there were two items worth considering. plaguing the team, made a few adjustments contributing to the recent turnaround. For example, the Avs allowed three or more goals 12 times The first examined how much ice time he would see in his first game over a 14-game sequence from Jan. 8 through Feb. 12, which is when back from an orbital bone injury. And, well, how Cole would fare when it they also had an eight-game losing streak. came to actually seeing the ice itself. Since then, they have allowed three or more goals four times over a nine- Let’s start with the initial area of assessment. Cole was one of the busier game slate but are 6-2-1 in those contests. players Friday in the Avalanche’s 4-3 loss to the Sharks at the SAP Center. He received more than 20 minutes of playing time. It was the Now that Cole is healthy, Bednar has another defensive option and one third-most minutes among the team’s defensemen and ranked fifth more item to consider leading up to a Sunday matinee against the Ducks overall behind Nathan MacKinnon, Samuel Girard, and at Honda Center. Mikko Rantanen. Bednar kept Girard and alternate captain Erik Johnson as his first pairing. “You know what? Great compete level, and he did some good things,” They were followed by Cole and Zadorov. Tyson Barrie and Patrik Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I’m sure he’ll improve as it goes, Nemeth made up the third unit. One of the players who stood out for the but I liked his game coming back. He was involved physically, and he Avalanche during their recent run was Ryan Graves, who saw time on kind of picked up where he left off. I thought he was pretty good.” the second and third pairings. Bednar slotted Cole on the second pairing with Zadorov in the hopes of Graves, who was replaced by Cole against the Sharks, has three points deploying a physical, shutdown tandem. Cole and Zadorov were not on and carries a plus-4 rating over his past 11 games while registering more the ice for an even-strength goal but were together when Joe Pavelski than 12 minutes of average ice time in all but one of those contests. scored the Sharks’ second power-play goal for a 4-2 lead more than halfway through the third period. “You have tough decisions, real tough decisions every night,” Bednar said. “I was just trying to give some of the veterans the benefit of the Cole, however, was involved in Zadorov’s seventh goal of the season. doubt, but (Graves) is in the mix to compete with some of our guys right The Avalanche were trailing 2-0 with around 15 minutes left in the now for ice time. We had some guys I didn’t like back there tonight, and second when Cole recovered a loose puck near the goal line and played we’ll evaluate and see if we give them another crack or if he comes in for a pass to Gabriel Landeskog at the point. Landeskog found an open somebody.” Zadorov, who fired a slap shot that cut the lead in half.

The goal, itself, tied a career high for Zadorov that he set last season. As for Cole, the significance of the goal was it marked his fourth consecutive The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 season with 10 or more assists. Offensive production, while appreciated, is not Cole’s forte. The physical play Bednar referenced was present. He had one hit to Zadorov’s five but was second on the team with three blocked shots. Even though he’s missed several weeks, Cole still has 140 blocked shots this season, tied for the second-most in the NHL behind Devils captain Andy Greene (170). “We’re fortunate enough to have a great skills coach in Shawn (Allard) who can make sure you’re in shape when you get back,” Cole said. “Overall, it was an adjustment getting back into game situations and an adjustment obviously wearing a full cage, a cage in the lower half of your vision. I think it went pretty well, but there’s certainly room for improvement.” He sustained the orbital bone injury Feb. 7 in a brawl with Capitals winger Tom Wilson. The fight started after Cole and Evgeny Kuznetsov collided on an exit out of the Avalanche’s zone. Kuznetsov was turning his body en route to the neutral zone when his head connected with Cole’s left shoulder. Cole raised his hand to bring attention to the fact Kuznetsov was on the ice, and the fight immediately followed. At first, Cole and Wilson were entangled before Wilson was free enough to deliver several punches that struck Cole and broke the orbital bone above his left eye. “These things do happen, and it’s sort of a workplace hazard,” Cole said. “We try to make the best of it and get back as soon as you can.” Replays showed Cole was already sporting a dark bruise around his left eye. Cole said he went into surgery the day after fighting Wilson. “Fortunately, the doctor said it was a pretty simple fix,” Cole said. “It just takes time to get the eyesight back working again and for the double vision to go away and for the eye tracking to get back to normal.” Cole said all this while still sporting a small scar that is about an inch or two long above his left eye socket from where doctors made an incision. As for the eye itself, Cole still has a broken blood vessel, but the redness around his iris has gradually diminished since the incident. 1134110 Colorado Avalanche BSN DENVER LOADED: 03.03.2019

Avs-Sharks grades: No way, Jose

BY ADRIAN DATER MARCH 2, 2019

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Another loss in San Jose. Last Avs victory here was in 2015. Let’s get to the grades: Mikko Rantanen (B+) – I think No. 96 is playing slightly hurt right now, with a lower-body thing. But that didn’t stop him from having a good game. He scored one of the Avs’ three goals and was pretty strong on the puck. Nathan MacKinnon (C-) – Just not a good night for Nate. His bad back pass led to the odd-man-rush and penalty taken as a result, leading to San Jose’s fourth goal. He was just a bit too fancy off the rush and had two shots on net. Gabe Landeskog (A) – He assisted on all three Avs goals and was tough on the puck, and good defensively. He’s had a career year. Alexander Kerfoot (B-) – He had an assist and had decent puck- possession numbers (10 Corsi for, six against). This might be a slightly generous grade for what he really did out there, but hey. Carl Soderberg (C) – A tough night for Carl. Had a chance to tie it late, but his one-timer was blocked by J.T. Compher. Had a rough night on puck possession too. But the man always plays hard. J.T. Compher (D) – The effort was there, but the results were lacking. Lost seven of eight faceoffs. Derick Brassard (D) – Didn’t really notice him once all night. He was a minus-1 in nearly 15 minutes, with no shots, poor analytics numbers too. Bednar played him at wing, which I think is the wrong place for him. He’s better as a center. Sven Andrighetto (D) – Invisible throughout. Colin Wilson (F) – Two Corsi for, 15 against, looked slow. The early- season version of Wilson did lots of good things in a top-6 role. As the season has progressed, though, his production has fallen off. Matt Calvert (C+) – I thought Calvy battled and could have had a better night with a little good fortune. But would-coulda-shouldas only go so far. Sheldon Dries (C-) – Didn’t play a lot, so tough to judge. But he didn’t do much when he was out there. He doesn’t really have a pure puck- possession game, as he rarely carries the puck. He darts around the puck and tries to go to the net, but he just doesn’t actually possess the puck enough to put points on the board. Tyson Jost (C) – Nothing awful about his game tonight. Nothing awesome either. He only had one shot on net in his nearly 12 minutes. Erik Johnson (F) – Just one of those nights for No. 6. A minus-3, terrible Corsi numbers, shot that hit his stick went past Varly for goal No. 2. He was also part of the Avs crew that was pinned in their own zone for about three minutes late in the second period, leading to that killer third goal. Sam Girard (B-) – A trick-or-treat kind of night. Had some turnovers in the first half of the game, but scored a brilliant goal that cut it to 4-3 in the third. Patrik Nemeth (C) – Took a penalty, was just kind of there overall. Might be on the pine for Sunday’s game in favor of Ryan Graves. Tyson Barrie (C-) – I didn’t love his game. He attempted some shots, but he seems to have lost a MPH or two on his slapper. Was sloppy with the puck at times in his own zone. Ian Cole (C) – Had a tough night puck-possession wise and took a penalty. He did get an assist. He seemed a step slow, which I guess is understandable considering it was his first game in three weeks. Nikita Zadorov (B+) – Scored a goal on a great slap shot and was physical and mostly safe with the puck. Semyon Varlamov (C+) – Made 36 saves, some of them very tough ones. But he just didn’t quite have his A game tonight. milehighsports.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134111 Colorado Avalanche

Five takeaways from Colorado’s continued struggle in San Jose and 4-3 loss

By DJ Stanec March 2, 2019

On Friday night, Colorado Avalanche took to the road to face the Pacific Division powerhouse, San Jose Sharks and lost 4-3. San Jose got on the board twice before the Avalanche found the back of the net. In a valiant effort from Colorado, fighting their way back from two-goal deficits three different times, it ended up being too little, too late. San Jose outlasted Colorado, keeping the Avalanche outside of the playoffs, looking in. What did we learn from tonight’s game? 1. At times, Colorado showed they can play with the best in the West. If anything, tonight shows that when they give it their all, Colorado was handing it to San Jose. In the last six minutes of the game, the Avalanche controlled the majority of the puck possession, while they dominated in shots. In the final minutes, the “big line” returned to their former glory and showed the Sharks why they were, at one point, the best line in the NHL. However, the effort wasn’t there for the entire game and the Sharks took advantage, extending the lead just enough that Colorado couldn’t crawl out of the hole. 2. Ian Cole and partner Nikita Zadorov looked strong in Cole’s return to the lineup. Cole not only brought back his defensive ability to the Avalanche on Friday night, but he showed he can be a threat in the offensive zone as well. Cole pressed deep into the San Jose zone as a forechecker, forcing a turnover. Eventually, the puck found its way to Zadorov who buried Colorado’s first goal of the evening. Cole finished with three blocked shots and assist on the night. 3. Special teams didn’t look horrific, despite the recent struggles. Colorado went 1-for-2 on the powerplay against San Jose, as Mikko Rantanen found the back of the net on the second man-up advantage of the night for the Avalanche. Not only did they score, but they were moving the puck very well and getting considerable pressure on both extra-man opportunities. Colorado’s penalty kill also looked decent against a very good Sharks power play which is just over 25 percent successful on the season. Colorado went 1-for-3 on the man down. 4. Avalanche continue to struggle to win in the SAP Center. Coming into Friday night’s game, Colorado was 1-16-0 when traveling to San Jose to take on the Sharks. San Jose has had Colorado’s number when in the SAP Center, and that continued Friday night. 5. Playoffs are still within reach for Colorado. Despite the loss, Colorado is still the one point out from the playoffs with 68 points, chasing Minnesota who also has 68 and Dallas who had 69 points. Minnesota takes on a scorching hot Calgary Flames team tomorrow, and Dallas faces the streaking St. Louis Blues, who are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Avalanche head to Anaheim to take on the sliding Ducks, in a very winnable game. Colorado’s next matchup against the Anaheim Ducks is set for 2:00 p.m. MT from the Honda Center, Saturday. milehighsports.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134112 Columbus Blue Jackets Jackets captain Nick Foligno said of Draisaitl and McDavid. “That’s what makes them good. That’s why they’re elite players. For us, it just seemed like they out-checked us, that line.” 5 takeaways from 4-0 loss to Oilers 4) Defensive issues continued Tortorella stuck with the same defense pairings as he used to end Brian Hedger regulation in the Jackets’ 4-3 overtime win Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

That meant Scott Harrington played on the top pairing with Seth Jones, He wasn’t fuming, didn’t blow up and spoke in a measured tone. Zach Werenski and David Savard stayed together as the second unit — with Markus Nutivaara and Adam McQuaid formed the third pair. Granted, John Tortorella only spoke to the media for 35 seconds after the Blue Jackets’ 4-0 loss Saturday to the Edmonton Oilers — the Jackets’ It was a rough game for all but Werenski and Savard, who led the latest home disappointment — but there was no eruption. Jackets’ defenders in ice time. The Oilers, who came into the game seven points back of a playoff spot Harrington, Jones, Nutivaara and McQuaid each finished with minus-2 in the Western Conference, simply handed it to the Jackets from start to ratings, as turnovers, bobbled pucks and missed defensive assignments finish — or, as Tortorella sometimes puts it, they “fed it” to them all game. led to Oilers goals. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were as good as advertised. Zack Tortorella said Friday that he sees a lack of confidence in his Kassian broke a scoreless tie, instead of a Blue Jacket’s eye socket — defensemen now, after the Blue Jackets added four players before the as he did in the Oilers’ rout of the Jackets here last season. trade deadline Monday afternoon, including star center Matt Duchene and a 20-goal scorer in forward Ryan Dzingel. It was a game the Jackets needed to win, as the games dwindle and playoff spots get shifted around, but they didn’t. So, they’re moving onto They became the talk of the NHL for “going all in,” but Tortorella is the next one — which just happens to be Sunday at Nationwide Arena concerned the inherent pressure from heightened expectations is against a Winnipeg Jets team that is leading the Central Division. affecting his defensemen. “We move right by it,” Tortorella said. “Short-term memory. We move Compounding the matter is the absence of Ryan Murray, who’s out right by it.” “week to week” because of an upper-body injury and missed his sixth straight game. And with that, so do we. “We’re going to go with these guys right now, and I want to say it in the Here are five takeaways from another deflating day for the Jackets at right way ... I’ll just be honest with you, I don’t even think of ‘Murr’ right Nationwide Arena: now, because I have to coach the game,” Tortorella said. “I have to coach (Sunday’s) game. Murr’s not going to be here the next two games, 1) What it meant so he’s not even on my mind. I just have to worry about the team and find The loss left the Blue Jackets stuck on 75 points and clinging to the a way to win.” second wild card in the Eastern Conference. They left the arena, 5) Outworked, outchecked however, knowing it was a precarious spot with the Pittsburgh Penguins playing in Montreal a few hours later. It might’ve been the most dominant shift any opponent has skated against the Blue Jackets all season. The Penguins also had 75 points going into that game and were just outside of the playoffs by way of the NHL’s regulation/overtime wins Prior to Josh Currie’s goal at 5:07 of the second period, which put the (ROW) tiebreaker — which favored the Jackets. Oilers up 2-0, Edmonton pinned the Jackets in their end for 1:34. The Oilers are still under the .500 mark for the season at 28-30-7, so The Oilers even had a guy leave the ice because he was struck in the these were two points the Blue Jackets really wanted to put in the bank skate by a shot from the point, as Kassian hobbled off and watched the — especially with a difficult schedule on tap next week. rest of the shift from the bench — flashing a toothless, pain-tinged grin after Currie deflected Draisaitl’s pass past Sergei Bobrovsky. 2) Sleepy start That’s what kind of day it was for the Blue Jackets. They outshot the No player wants to use the excuse, but it was a 1 p.m. start and each Oilers 30-24 but missed the net 10 times, had 17 attempts blocked and team was off its usual game-day routine. That’s probably the reason the were tagged with nine more giveaways (13-4) on the final scoresheet. Jackets and Oilers looked a little sluggish to start out, but only one team shook off its slumber as the game progressed. “We’ve got to get better as a forward group and understand, especially early-on, it doesn’t have to be cute,” Foligno said. “Just get (the puck) in, It was Edmonton, which got the first goal — by Kassian — and kept its get it going, get our legs going and all of a sudden everyone feels really momentum rolling. The Blue Jackets hit the snooze button and never good and you start feeling like you’re tilting forward a little bit more. In the heard the alarm go off again, apparently. It was another frustrating, games we do that, we have success. In the games we don’t, it’s up in the lackluster loss on home ice for the Jackets, who dropped to just 17-15-2 air or it’s a game like this. At this time of year, it can’t happen.” this season at Nationwide Arena.

“I think it’s a mental thing,” defenseman David Savard said. “We’ve got to be ready to go at 1 o’clock, when the game starts. Everybody’s got to do Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019 their own thing to make sure they’re ready at 1, whatever it is, (and) we’ve got to make sure we’re ready to go (Sunday). Those points are really important at this time of the year, and that was a big game for us.” 3) Draisaitl, McDavid too much The Oilers don’t have much more on their roster than two stars, but those two were plenty enough to run away with this game. Draisaitl led all players with three points on a goal and two assists — setting up the Oilers’ first two goals with primary assists — and McDavid was, well, himself. Edmonton’s captain finished with three assists, all on the first three goals of the game, and he hounded the puck from start to finish — nearly scoring early in the game with a one-armed shot off a solo rush past Blue Jackets defenseman Scott Harrington. The Oilers top line combined for two goals, five assists and seven points — including Kassian’s 10th goal of the season to open the scoring at 6:27 of the first period. “Not only are they fast, they have great sticks — so just when you think you’ve got a play, (they bat) it down and they’re going the other way,” 1134113 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets feel absence of injured defenseman Ryan Murray

Brian Hedger

The missing piece of the Blue Jackets’ defensive puzzle sat in the pressbox Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Ryan Murray, a key defenseman out “week-to-week” because of an upper-body injury, watched as the Jackets lost 4-0 to the Edmonton Oilers — struggling to escape their zone, turning the puck over too much and, generally speaking, looking discombobulated. “We miss Murr terribly,” coach John Tortorella said Friday, pointing to what he feels is a lack of confidence with his healthy defensemen. “Murr was having just a great year. Of all our defensemen, he probably sees the ice better than any of them, as far as making those (transition) plays. That’s certainly a hole, but we certainly have capable people back there.” That’s not how it looked against the Oilers, which was due partly to the Blue Jackets’ malaise, partly to Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid and partly to Murray watching in street clothes. There is no timetable for Murray’s return. He has missed six straight games, will miss a seventh Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets and could potentially be out a lot longer, without the specifics of his injury being released. Murray, a 25-year-old puck-mover, was having a career-best season with one goal, 28 assists and 29 points in 56 games. He missed a couple of months last season because of a back injury and also fought through a nagging ankle sprain before this injury, which caused him to leave a game early in the first period Feb. 18 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Murray hasn’t played since, and the Jackets’ defensive pairings have taken a hit. He had stabilized the top pairing with Seth Jones, and the other two units had also fallen in line — Zach Werenski working with David Savard and Scott Harrington with Markus Nutivaara. Tortorella has used a number of combinations since, including Harrington now skating with Jones. The Blue Jackets also added a wrinkle Monday, acquiring veteran defenseman Adam McQuaid from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. “There’s been some inconsistency there, for sure, in all six (guys),” Tortorella said before Saturday’s game. “I don’t think they’ve played terribly. I think they’ve got to regain their confidence a little bit, as far as moving the puck and getting us out of the end zone.” One-timers Sergei Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 19 shots and was relieved by backup Joonas Korpisalo to start the third period. Getting the third period off might be an indicator that Bobrovsky will also start Sunday against Winnipeg. ... Martin St. Louis, the Jackets’ special-teams consultant, is in town through the weekend and got on the ice at practice Friday.

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Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 0 | Jackets have no answer for Connor McDavid's line

Brian Hedger

There was another sellout crowd Saturday afternoon at Nationwide Arena, which gave the Blue Jackets another shot to electrify the place. Instead, it was an all-too-familiar picture. The Blue Jackets (36-25-3), who left the arena needing help to hang onto the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, let another golden opportunity slip away with their latest dud at home, losing 4-0 to the Edmonton Oilers to start a back-to-back that wraps up Sunday at home against the Winnipeg Jets. “It’s good that we can get back on it quickly and not let this linger,” defenseman Seth Jones said. “We have no choice now but to let it go, because we definitely can’t take that into (Sunday).” They’d better not, because the Jets are much better overall than the Oilers (28-30-7). Edmonton went into this game seven points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference and inflicted most of its damage with just one line, albeit a star-driven trio featuring stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Playing left wing, rather than centering the second line, Draisaitl led the Oilers’ top line to a huge afternoon. He set up the game’s first two goals, finished with three points after scoring in the second period and helped McDavid to a three-assist game. Zack Kassian, the muscle of that line, scored his 10th goal to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead 6:27 into the game. Also scoring in the second period were Josh Currie and Alex Chiasson, and 6-foot-7 goalie Mikko Koskinen made 30 saves for his fourth shutout. “That’s not our game and we got it taken to us,” Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner said. “It was just not to our standard. We’ve got to look in the mirror, obviously, and find our game.” It was a stinging loss for the Blue Jackets, who fell to 17-15-2 at Nationwide Arena with only seven regular-season games left there. That might not be a bad thing, considering the Jackets are a lot better on the road (19-10-1). “Our start has to be better, especially at home,” captain Nick Foligno said. “It seems like on the road, we’re already fortified. We know how we’ve got to play and, boom, our starts are good there. Well, at home, no excuse. We know what we’re doing wrong. We’ve just got to fix it and it has to be fixed quickly.” The start was a sleepy one, with the first puck dropped a little after 1 p.m. and the Blue Jackets still sawing logs. The Oilers weren’t much better but eventually heard the alarm ring. They capitalized on a slew of Jackets miscues, starting with Kassian’s goal, and steamrolled to their second straight win. The best example was Currie’s goal to make it 2-0 at 5:07 of the second, scored after the Oilers spent 1:34 buzzing around the Blue Jackets zone. Draisaitl pushed it to 3-0 at 8:53 with his 40th goal, and Chiasson scored the fourth one, putting the game safely out of reach with 5:34 left in the second. “I’m not gonna pick it apart, talk about what’s good, bad,” coach John Tortorella said. “We’re moving right by it.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134115 Columbus Blue Jackets at home predate the arrivals of Duchene, Dzingel and defenseman Adam McQuaid.

Shift from hell highlights growing concerns for Blue Jackets in another home loss The Blue Jackets have been outscored by a combined 16-3 in the first periods of their last 10 home games. They are 3-7-0 in that span.

“Our starts have to be better, especially at home,” Foligno said. “It seems By Tom Reed Mar 2, 2019 29 like on the road we are already fortified. We know how we have to play. … At home, there should be no excuse.” COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Oilers kept zipping the puck from high to low The Oilers are the NHL’s version of an open-book test. The answers are and low to high in the Blue Jackets’ end. The energy-sapping exercise right at your fingertips. They are a one-line team driven by McDavid and lasted for more than 90 seconds, the sell-out crowd groaning at the sheer Leon Draisaitl, who sit third and seventh respectively in league scoring. If spectacle of it. you can limit the damage against the top line, you have a decent chance of beating a club that ranks 24th overall in goals per game (2.77). The Blue Jackets lost the puck, lost the board battles and eventually lost the strength to keep pace with the Oilers, who were able to change The Blue Jackets didn’t come close to fulfilling the mission. McDavid had players while maintaining possession during the marathon second-period three assists and was on the ice for all four goals. Draisaitl had a goal shift. and two helpers. Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid looked like he was forcing five The home side repeatedly turned over the puck in dangerous areas Blue Jackets to do own-zone “Herbies,” skating them to the brink of against the McDavid line. exhaustion before setting up the goal that defined a 4-0 loss to the Oilers “Both of those guys have (lots of) points for a reason,” Jones said. “They in Nationwide Arena. know how to put the puck in the net. We gave them a couple of free The Blue Jackets didn’t manage the puck, failed miserably in ones.” transitioning it from their own end and came nowhere near to matching The backbreaker was the 2-0 goal that concluded the Blue Jackets’ shift the visitors’ compete level in arguably their worst setback of the season. from hell. Markus Nutivaara had control of the puck as he entered the When it was over, John Tortorella put no effort in trying to rehash neutral zone only to have it stripped from him by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Saturday afternoon’s game. It’s quite fitting as his team appeared, at with 16:28 remaining in the second period. times, to exert little energy in playing it. The quintet of Nutivaara, McQuaid, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cam Atkinson Captain Nick Foligno, however, touched on an important point — one and Artemi Panarin already had been on the ice for 33 seconds. They that highlights the memorable shift and is becoming part of a more were just warming up. disturbing trend in recent games. He spoke of the inability to move the The Oilers moved the puck around the zone for another 1:34. Blue puck crisply and effectively from zone to zone. Jackets defenders grew weary. They couldn’t win battles along the wall, “You have no energy to go the other way,” Foligno said. “That’s where it let alone clear the zone. looks like we are lethargic or whatever it is, but you are working so hard At one point, Oilers winger Zack Kassian was felled by a slap shot. He just to get out of your zone.” was down on the ice for several seconds before skating gingerly to the As they fight to qualify for postseason, the Blue Jackets have 18 games bench. Even with the momentary man advantage, the Blue Jackets remaining. It’s unclear when or if Ryan Murray — among their best puck- couldn’t gain control of the puck. moving defensemen — will return to the lineup. Murray hasn’t played Finally, McDavid skated down the slot between Atkinson and Dubois and since Feb. 18 because of an upper-body injury. curled behind the net, feathering a pass back to Draisaitl. The winger’s His absence looks to be growing more profound as the Blue Jackets shot was deflected home by Josh Currie, who was in the minors when struggle to find the right mix on the back end. They are 3-3 without him in the shift began. the lineup. Sergei Bobrovsky, flattened seconds earlier in a goal-mouth scramble, Against the Oilers, two second-period turnovers by defensemen led to reacted angrily as the Oilers celebrated. He was mercifully pulled from goals and helped them carry an insurmountable 4-0 advantage into the the game at the start of the third period. dressing room. The five Blue Jackets players on the ice were credited with a 2-minute, 7- The Blue Jackets finished with 30 shots, but the total flattered them. The second shift. masked man in nets for the Oilers who wore No. 19 could have been “They out-checked us, that line,” Foligno said of the McDavid unit. “They Bernie Kosar for as much as he was tested. That’s as comfortable a did what we wanted to do to them.” shutout as Mikko Koskinen will record. The Blue Jackets never got a forecheck going in part because they rarely “Just the lack of energy probably from the get-go,” defenseman Seth came through the neutral zone with speed. They spent too much time in Jones said when asked what bothered him most about the defeat. the second period just trying to get the puck out of the zone. Tortorella offered no thoughts on the game during his 36-second As the schedule grows more challenging, the Blue Jackets’ defensive postgame remarks. He did not raise his voice or criticize any of his corps, minus Murray, must recapture their transition game. The all- players. Instead, he focused on Sunday night’s quick turnaround against around effort must also improve. the swift and powerful Jets at Nationwide Arena. “We just need to understand the (time) of the season, the period of the “We’re moving right by it,” Tortorella said. “I’m not going to talk about season we are in,” Foligno said. “Games are hard. Teams that are out of what’s good or bad. We’re moving right by it. it are playing with nothing to lose. … You have to find a way. Every game “We play tomorrow. … We move right by it. Short-term memory. We is so hard. It’s like we’re not quite at the compete level where we need to move right by it.” be each and every game. We have to understand that. Saturday’s contest marked the start of a rugged 10-game stretch for the “We need a lot more energy and a lot more compete to be the team we Blue Jackets that features two games each against the Penguins and expect to be. It doesn’t matter who we’ve added or who we have in the Bruins and one apiece versus Winnipeg and Calgary. There also are lineup. … Let’s not mince words here. It’s really crucial we bounce back, matchups with the Metro Division-leading Islanders and Hurricanes on and I have a good feeling we will.” tap. Their first chance comes Sunday against the high-powered Jets. The Blue Jackets have to get their problems, especially at home, Analytically speaking resolved while trying to incorporate three new skaters into the lineup. Some wonder whether the additions of forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan The Athletic’s hockey data dynamo Alison Lukan provided these insights Dzingel are subconsciously leading the team to rely more on its skill and into the Blue Jackets’ loss: scoring depth than its grind and forecheck. • The Jackets’ struggles were real against Edmonton. They generated The theory might hold some validity as the Blue Jackets search to solidify shots (60.92 percent) but didn’t get to the dangerous areas (44.44 an identity for the stretch drive. But let’s be honest, the team’s slow starts percent), but the key was more what they allowed and to whom. • The impact of the Oilers’ first two goals was huge. The Jackets came into this game with a win probability of 64.38 percent according to MoneyPuck.com. The first Oilers score dropped those chances by 20.95 percent. After the second goal, Columbus had just a 17.12 percent likelihood of coming back to win. • The quirk in how Edmonton won: just how good their top line was. Only five Oilers skaters were above 50 percent in shot share, three of those five were Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Kassian. They were responsible for over one-third of their team’s shot attempts and the only Edmonton line to gain the advantage in scoring chances (plus-2) and high-danger attempts (plus-2). • Who bore the brunt of the Oilers’ top line’s domination? Seth Jones and Scott Harrington drew the matchup on the blue line while Boone Jenner’s line took the minutes on the other side. All five Jackets players had positive shot differentials against every other Edmonton forward except McDavid’s group.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134116 Columbus Blue Jackets Stephanie attended her first game in Columbus on Thursday. “It gave me a new appreciation for the deadline, that’s for sure,” McQuaid said. “Other years, I would be sitting around thinking, ‘OK, who are we A moving experience: How the Blue Jackets accommodated the needs of adding now?’ This time, we were the ones who had to move.” four new players after a wild trade deadline The Rangers are rebuilding and McQuaid is an unrestricted free agent. The defenseman had a good idea he would be dealt — he was held out By Tom Reed of the Rangers’ lineup in the final game before the deadline — but McQuaid had no idea where he and his bride would land. Mar 2, 2019 “My wife has been great about the whole thing, she’s been very understanding,” he said. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Within an hour after the Matt Duchene trade, Julie Gamble serves as the Blue Jackets’ team services director. Among Janelle Foligno was exchanging text messages with a woman inside the her many duties, Gamble arranges for transportation and housing for Blue Jackets organization who’s more closely identified with planes, newly acquired players. (Tom Reed / The Athletic) trains and automobiles than Steve Martin or the late John Candy. Every trade deadline offers its unique challenges for Gamble and Todd Julie Gamble is the team services director, and one of the first people Sharrock, vice president of Blue Jackets communications and team players speak with after they have been traded to Columbus. services. This year, the franchise acquired four players during the same week as the Arnold Sports Festival — the largest multi-sport event in the Need a car service in Winnipeg to whisk you to the airport? Better call nation, drawing 22,000 athletes from 80 nations to Columbus and Julie. Require a short-stay rental property in Franklin County that allows attracting about 200,000 fans. pets? Better call Julie. Talk about having a bad case of the Mondays. Gamble had to outmuscle But Janelle Foligno, wife of Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno, bodybuilders and powerlifters for a few premium hotel rooms downtown understands the biggest concerns of the team involve getting its new before transitioning the new players to apartments and condos. players into the fold as quickly as possible. It’s why she was texting with Gamble to inquire about contact information for Duchene’s wife, Ashley. She got the McQuaids booked in a hotel for one night and then helped them find an apartment. Per the NHL collective bargaining agreement, “We feel for the families when they have to up and move,” Janelle said. teams must pay for all housing and car rentals for the remainder of the “It’s one thing to do it in the summer, but in the middle of the year to season when a player is acquired at the deadline. move to a city where you might not know anyone, that can be really tough.” Gamble also found a pet-friendly spot for the Duchenes’ dog, Paisley, who is named after singer Brad Paisley. The family has since moved into As Janelle touched base with the Blue Jackets, Natalie Atkinson was a vacant condo owned by the Atkinsons. texting wives and girlfriends of players throughout the NHL that she has met over the years. The wife of Blue Jackets alternate captain Cam Among the most important information Gamble gathered in her first chat Atkinson also got Ashley Duchene’s cell number. with Duchene involved immigration. He is a Canadian citizen who was playing in a Canadian market. Getting work visas for foreign-born players Natalie spoke to Ashley on Feb. 22, the day of the trade, and was able to in Canadian-based cities is tricky and can take time to process. answer some Columbus-centric, family-related questions, including the names and numbers of good pediatricians. The Duchenes have a 7- At the 2008 trade deadline, it took the Blue Jackets days to get Swedish- week-old son, Beau. born defenseman Dick Tarnstrom into the lineup after being dealt from the Oilers. “I particularly felt for Ashley because having just had a newborn myself, I was like, ‘I don’t know how she’s doing it,’ ” said Natalie, whose son, Last week, the Blue Jackets went to extraordinary lengths to ensure Declan, is 7 months old. “I just texted her and said, ‘If you have any Duchene could play in the Feb. 23 home game versus the Sharks. The questions, don’t hesitate to call.’ ” team’s director of legal affairs, Peter Lovins, was flown to St. Albans, Vt. — home to a U.S. Customs and Immigration Service processing center The Blue Jackets made the biggest splash of any team at the NHL trade — to hand deliver Duchene’s paperwork on the day of the deal. It’s deadline, acquiring four players: forwards Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, closed on weekends. They somehow got it approved, and the team’s defenseman Adam McQuaid and goaltender Keith Kinkaid. reporter Jeff Svoboda wrote a behind-the-scenes account of how it was accomplished. Fans focus on how newcomers can improve their team’s chances of reaching postseason — the Blue Jackets are 3-1-0 since the Duchene Duchene not only played against the Sharks but also scored a goal in a blockbuster — and potentially win playoff rounds. They don’t always 4-0 win. The center was overwhelmed by the reception he received by comprehend the stressful nature of the deadline. the sell-out crowd, capping an incredible 48 hours. It takes a coordinated effort involving team personnel, players and their “I was blown away,” Duchene said. “You watch guys get stuff like that on wives to make a life-altering event more manageable. The process is TV and stuff, and you expect stuff like that. But then when it’s you, you’re condensed and chaotic. There are no two-week notices that allow for a blown away by it. It’s very humbling. You don’t expect it ever.” more relaxed relocation at this time of season. Duchene was the star of the night, but team personnel such as Lovins, Duchene played against his old team, the Senators, on Feb. 22 in Ottawa Gamble and many others had a hand in making it possible. and flew on the club’s chartered plane that night to Columbus, where he made his home debut the next day. If that wasn’t enough, Duchene Among her many talents, Janelle Foligno knows her way around a traveled back to Ottawa on Feb. 24 to retrieve his wife, child, dog and kitchen. Dzingel, who also had been traded to Columbus from Ottawa in a separate deal. “She is a great cook,” Natalie Atkinson said. “The Blue Jackets organization and my teammates have welcomed us in The newly acquired Blue Jackets are about to have their bellies stuffed so well,” Duchene said. “They got us a baby jersey and a dog bandanna with succulent Italian dishes. and leash. That is stuff that goes above and beyond.” Since being named captain four years ago, Nick Foligno has made it a ‘A new appreciation’ habit of inviting the new players and their families into his home for dinner. McQuaid is a 10-year veteran, a Stanley Cup winner who’s had the good fortune of playing on postseason contenders in Boston most of his “The player is easily integrated into the team,” the captain said. “But the career. wife and the kids sometimes don’t feel they belong in a new environment. We want to try to get that family atmosphere going. He previously viewed trade-deadline time much like many fans. It has a Christmas morning feel to it. A season ago, his Bruins acquired Rick “The faster you can get tight as a team, the better your team will be. You Nash in hopes of making another Cup run. get to know someone well off the ice, the better you will be on the ice.” In the offseason, McQuaid married his longtime girlfriend, Stephanie A season ago, the Blue Jackets added three players at the deadline (Ian Enserink, who like her husband is from Prince Edward Island. In the past Cole, , Mark Letestu) and finished the season as one of seven months, the McQuaids have been forced to move twice. The the league’s hottest clubs. They went 14-4-2 after the trade deadline, defenseman was traded to the Rangers in September and to the Blue compiling 10 consecutive wins from March 4-22. Jackets last week. Janelle Foligno realizes the coaches, players and support staff will do their best to ease the burden of the Blue Jackets’ newbies. But the wives and girlfriends must do their part, as well, she said. Janelle believes getting the families settled helps reduce the stress level of the players. Among the four acquired last week, all have either wives, fiancées or girlfriends. Only the Duchenes have a child. “We’re kind of like a big family,” Janelle said. “You welcome these people in almost like you would welcome in your own family members. It’s like, ‘What do you need?’ and, “How can we help ease the transition a little bit?’ I just think it comes with the territory.” Gamble networks with team services directors around the NHL looking for new ideas in offering assistance to players brought in at the deadline. (Oh, if they were only all like Kinkaid, who drove his own car from New Jersey.) It’s the same with players’ wives. Natalie Atkinson has built up an impressive array of names and cellphone numbers. She communicates with her contacts to find out if new arrivals and their families might require special needs. When it comes to the hectic trade deadline, it truly is a team effort. “It has been great,” Duchene said. “(My wife) said last night how nice the girls were, and we’ll get to know them more and more. It’s a comfort thing.”

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John Klingberg's big night in St. Louis came with added motivation, and a heavy heart

Matthew DeFranks Contact Matthew DeFranks on Twitter: @MDeFranks

ST. LOUIS -- With a couple of points to the sky after scoring in the Stars' 4-1 win over the Blues on Saturday night, John Klingberg honored a friend. Klingberg found out Saturday morning about the loss of a friend, and paid tribute by kissing his right hand and then pointing up after he scored his eighth goal of the season. "Just an extra thought for him," Klingberg said. Klingberg also added two assists on Jamie Benn's last two goals of the night and now has seven points in his last seven games. Klingberg ended an 11-game goalless streak with the goal on Saturday, which was a pretty finish on the rush that beat Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. Klingberg's three-point night was his first of the season and first since Jan. 20 last season at Buffalo. It also came on the heels of Thursday's game in Los Angeles, when the Kings capitalized on his mistakes to create scoring chances the other way. "I think I've been playing good," Klingberg said. "We don't score as much as a team anymore. Like we talked about before, I can't start chasing my own game to try and score my points. It doesn't work like that. As long as I still create, I think that's good, and play solid defensively and stuff like that. I think my game is where it needs to be. Obviously, I want to be able to create more offense, but that's something that's got to be able to come from the whole team." Klingberg is a pretty important member of the Stars' offense, breaking the puck out of the defensive zone, finding the middle of ice, rushing the rush, activating in the offensive zone, and providing a stellar shot. He also quarterbacks the top power play unit, and plays the most minutes per game of any Stars skater. "John Klingberg is a difference maker, and he expects to make a difference," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "When things aren't happening, sometimes he forces it. He's aware of it, but what you love is the competitor in him. He wants to be a difference maker all the time. He wants the puck on his stick and those are the kind of players you win with." "He's still driving our offense, whether he's getting points or not," Stars forward Jason Spezza said. "Sometimes you can get caught judging yourself on the results, and I think he's done a lot of good things, a lot of chances." Klingberg's night, though, went beyond hockey. He was able to escape on the ice, and forget about his emotions, even if temporarily. "When stuff like that happens outside the ice, I think it's kind of nice to have a game because you don't think about it too much," Klingberg said. "Obviously, those thoughts are maybe going to creep in a little bit here tonight, but it's nice to play a game, get out with a win and not think about it for three hours." Defensive switch: The Stars changed up their defensive pairings to counter St. Louis' top line of Patrick Maroon, Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko. Dallas typically pairs Esa Lindell with Klingberg, and Miro Heiskanen with Roman Polak. But when the Blues rolled out Maroon-O'Reilly-Tarasenko (a line that averages 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds), Montgomery paired Lindell with Polak and Heiskanen with Klingberg, and helped ease the workload on Heiskanen and Klingberg. "Once they went Maroon on a line with O'Reilly and Tarasenko, we loaded up our two heaviest defensemen to play the most minutes. That allows us to play Klingberg and Miro together, which give us up another dynamic 5-on-5."

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134118 Dallas Stars

Stars notebook: Why rookie forward Joel L'Esperance shared a line with Benn, Spezza in just his sixth NHL game

Matthew DeFranks

ST. LOUIS -- Stars rookie forward Joel L'Esperance began Saturday night's game on the second line for Dallas, the highest he has started a game in his brief NHL career. He centered a line with Benn at left wing and Spezza at right wing. Montgomery said he liked the combination of L'Esperance and Spezza last game in Los Angeles and decided Benn could slot in with them instead of splitting up the top line of Roope Hintz, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov. At times, the Benn-L'Esperance-Spezza line was broken up as Montgomery loaded up the top line with Benn, Seguin and Radulov. But Montgomery also returned to the original arrangement in the third period. The contrast in experience was stark between Benn and Spezza, and L'Esperance. L'Esperance played in his sixth NHL game Saturday night. Benn and Spezza entered the night with 1,781 games played. "Keep it simple early, work with each other throughout the game and communicate," Benn said. "Hopefully, we find something." The latest recall for L'Esperance was the second of his NHL career. He's second in the AHL with 29 goals this season. What did he learn during the first one? "The pace of the game is a lot faster than it is down there," L'Esperance said. "But once you get into the game, your mind settles in, and slows down a little bit." Briefly: With Benn's return, Dallas sent forward Denis Gurianov to AHL affiliate Texas. Gurianov was recalled under emergency circumstances, so his recall did not count against the four that teams are allowed after the trade deadline. Gurianov did not score during his latest trip to the NHL, and only received one shift during the Stars' overtime win over Los Angeles on Thursday night. -- Forward Andrew Cogliano did not join the Stars Saturday as he's still recovering from an upper-body injury suffered during Tuesday's loss in Vegas. The last two games are the first two Cogliano has missed due to injury in his 12-year NHL career. Montgomery said Cogliano is "very hopeful, probably for Tuesday" against the Rangers. -- Forward Tyler Pitlick is still recovering from wrist surgery in Dallas, and the prognosis on his recovery has not changed, though he has begun skating. Pitlick is scheduled to return during the last week of the regular season.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134119 Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn's first hat trick of the season pushes Stars to another important win over St. Louis

By , Sports Reporter Contact Matthew DeFranks on Twitter: @MDeFranks

ST. LOUIS -- Jamie Benn scanned the middle of the ice, looking for a cutting teammate to possibly set up for a power-play scoring chance. He ended up doing neither, and actually lured Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington into a trap, the hidden highlight of his hat trick Saturday night. Benn swept a no-look finish between Binnington's legs during the second period -- his second goal of the night during the Stars' 4-1 win over the Blues -- and announced his return to the Dallas lineup with authority. It was subtle yet flashy, sneaky yet gaudy, nasty and gorgeous. "I thought it was a pretty good veteran move against a rookie goalie," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "I thought he was passing, too." Stars forward Jason Spezza called it, "Pretty nice. I've seen him do it before. It's a good way when you get a different goalie that doesn't know you that well. I think he did a good job of hiding what he was doing, and I think he knew what he wanted to do the whole way." It highlighted Benn's second multigoal game in his last four, and showcased that the Stars captain is rounding into shape at the right time of the year, even coming off an injury. Benn missed the previous two games with an upper-body injury, healing until he could fully return to help his team in a tight playoff race in the Western Conference. It was Benn's first hat trick since April 7 of last season against the Kings. It was the first hat trick of the season for a Stars player. It was the Stars' second straight victory, boosting their playoff position and closing the once-streaking Blues' advantage over them to three points. St. Louis has losses in four of six games, beginning when the Stars ended their 11-game winning streak last week in Dallas. The Stars' penalty kill was superb, killing all three Blues power plays. Ben Bishop was steady, making 29 saves. John Klingberg bounced back from a rough showing in Los Angeles by whipping his eighth goal of the season past Binnington. Benn -- in his return, in his play -- owned the night. "It's not fun watching, that's for sure," Benn said. "For the games that I did watch, our team played pretty good. It was obviously nice to get back out there with them." Benn can be one of the rarest players in the league, with the large frame and physicality to dominate and intimidate, to go with the hands and shot and skill to pile up points. Saturday was as good an example as any. Benn got on the scoreboard early with a tipped shot from Taylor Fedun, beating Binnington just 3:08 into the game. He followed that up with the no-look goal in the second period, and was on the ice trying to protect a two-goal lead late when he deposited an empty-netter from his own zone. Before the game, Montgomery said Benn would bring "toughness, skill, will, leadership" to the Stars after his absence. "It was superb," he said. "Having him back, you could tell there was more jump by our team and a lot more confidence. Obviously, his will and his determination on his goals was really important to our victory." Klingberg said, "Coming back and being vocal and driving the bus for the whole team out there on the ice. Huge impact for us to have him back." Spezza said, "To get your captain back and best player, and he showed up tonight. Really made some big-time plays at the right times. It was opportunistic, and that's how you have to be on the road."

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134120 Dallas Stars because you don’t think about it too much. Obviously, those thoughts are going to maybe creep in here tonight but it’s nice to play a game and get out of a win and not to think about it for three hours.” Stars 20/20: Jamie Benn returns with first hat trick this season to lead 8. Even with a 2-0 advantage in the first period, the Stars had a couple of Stars past Blues moments that probably made fans hold their breath a little as both Radulov and Dickinson seemed to get a little banged up. The good news is both came back and while we’re talking about Dickinson, he’s been By Saad Yousuf stellar for the Stars lately. He made a nice play in overtime against Los Angeles that led to the winning goal and even Saturday, he was scrappy Mar 2, 2019 and showed he wasn’t afraid to fight. The next step for him is to provide some depth scoring and snap his 24- game streak without a goal. The Stars wrapped up their four-game road trip with a 4-1 win in St. Louis. Jamie Benn had a hat trick and John Klingberg added another 9. Along the injury lines, the Stars will have a day off Sunday to recover goal for Dallas: and then a practice Monday before kicking off a three-game homestand Tuesday against the N.Y. Rangers. Montgomery has indicated Andrew 1. Benn made sure everybody was well aware he was back in the Stars Cogliano should be back in the lineup by then, which means a decision lineup after missing the last two, and really basically three, games. He on Joel L’Esperance is coming and will likely result in him returning to the looked like a man making up for lost time, scoring three goals on three AHL. shots. 10. With Benn coming back for this game, Denis Gurianov was sent back “I felt good,” Benn said. “Give some credit to Nelly (Todd Nelson) and down to the AHL, preserving the four non-emergency call-ups for Dallas Barnsy (Stu Barnes), they have pretty good skates when you don’t play. I the rest of the season. L’Esperance is also on an emergency call-up right felt 100 percent coming into it and that’s why I played.” now for Cogliano’s injury. Benn missed the last two games completely with an upper-body injury 11. Gurianov’s reassignment to Texas came Saturday afternoon, so he and played only about one minute in the game prior against Chicago that didn’t play in Texas’ win against the Chicago Wolves Saturday night. kicked off the four-game road trip. There were no signs of limitations They play again Tuesday in Milwaukee in which Gurianov should be on Saturday night as he was on the ice for 18:32, second only to Tyler the ice. Seguin among Stars forwards. The reassignment is Gurianov’s 10th transaction of the season bouncing His three goals gave him his first hat trick since the season finale last between the AHL and NHL. He has had valuable spurts in the NHL, year against the Kings and the first hat trick for the Stars this season. providing a spark with his speed more than anything. These transactions Dallas had 16 two-goal games from players this season coming in — are normal in a player’s development, just ask Roope Hintz and Seguin with seven; Benn, Alexander Radulov and Miro Heiskanen each Dickinson. with two; and Jason Dickinson, Devin Shore and Esa Lindell with one apiece. As the saying goes, 17th time is the charm. I wrote about the process and why even though it’s grueling for a player in the short term, it serves as beneficial in the bigger picture. 2. “It’s fun. It’s always fun playing the Blues,” Benn said. 12. Speaking of Texas, Monday is the AHL trade deadline and according That certainly seems to be the case for Benn as of late. He has scored to Sean Shapiro, the Stars are looking to potentially add a forward before five goals in the last two games against St. Louis, both performances the deadline. With the run of injuries forwards have had in Dallas, ranging coming in the last 10 days. The Stars have also had fun against the from Mats Zuccarello to Benn and Cogliano, the move would add depth Blues this season, winning three of the four games. Saturday was the in Cedar Park for Texas. last time Dallas will play St. Louis in the regular season, though it’s probably not the last you’ll hear of the Blues as it relates to the Stars 13. The Stars went with this lineup: given their chase in the standings. Hintz – Seguin – Radulov 3. On Benn’s first goal in the first period, things happened really fast. One instance Benn was winning the faceoff and about five seconds later, he Benn – L’Esperance – Spezza tipped in a shot from Taylor Fedun to get the scoring started. Janmark – Faksa – Comeau 4. The second goal is worth watching on loop for a few minutes. With the Stars on the power play, Benn looked to be playing the facilitator role for Nichushkin – Dickinson – Ritchie a second, dishing the puck across the ice where Seguin got ahold of it Lindell – Klingberg and passed it back. From there, Benn was half hockey player and half magician, getting the puck past Blues rookie goalie Jordan Binnington Heiskanen – Polak without even looking at the net. Fedun – Lovejoy 5. In Binnington’s defense, Benn even got his own coach on that play. 14. On Friday, the Stars officially signed forward Tye Felhaber to a three- “I thought it was a pretty good veteran move against a rookie,” Stars year entry-level contract. The move involving the 20-year-old undrafted head coach Jim Montgomery said. “I thought he was passing, too.” free agent was first reported by Sean Shapiro about a month ago. Benn’s final goal was the dagger, an empty-netter with less than 30 Felhaber has many qualities you’d attribute to a goal scorer, including seconds to go in the victory. good hands and a dangerous snap shot. He isn’t known for his straight- line speed, but attacks well in bursts and uses that to his advantage 6. Given his return from injury and the hat trick, much of the spotlight within the game. If his career progresses on its current track, Felhaber from the game will deservedly be on Benn, but he wasn’t the only Star could project as a middle-six winger who puts the puck in the net. with a three-point game Saturday night. Klingberg had a fantastic performance, breaking an 11-game drought by scoring a goal a couple of 15. It’s a shame we’ve gotten this far before acknowledging another minutes after Benn’s first goal. standout performance by Ben Bishop. Perhaps it was the fact the Stars scored four goals in back-to-back games for the first time since the Klingberg then assisted on the no-look goal by Benn and the empty- second week of November but the play in net was, once again, netter at the end of the game to give him his first three-point night of the phenomenal. season. Oddly enough, Klingberg has had one other stretch this season when he went at least 11 games without scoring a goal and it was a 17- Bishop had 29 saves on 30 shots for a save percentage of .967, game stretch from late October to late December (he missed 18 games improving his season save percentage to .925. in the middle of that with an injury). The team he ended that drought against? The St. Louis Blues on Jan. 8. “He was superb,” Montgomery said. “I thought our forwards came back hard, our D men had gaps, they dumped pucks in and he was the best 7. After scoring his goal in the first period, Klingberg celebrated by breakout defenseman we had tonight.” pointing to the sky. 16. This particular performance came against a team he called home He explained afterward it was because he found out before morning over a decade ago when he got his NHL career going. Bishop has also skate Saturday that a friend passed away. bounced around the league, playing in Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Ottawa in addition to St. Louis and now Dallas. “Just an extra thought for him,” Klingberg said. “When stuff like that happens outside of the ice, I think it’s kind of nice to have a game There is a positive twist to moving around the league as much as he has. “Absolutely, you get a chance to work with different goalies in the NHL, different goalie coaches, different coaches and you pick up different tricks of the trade along the way,” Bishop said. “You try to absorb as much, I’ve had the fortune to play with some good goalies along the way with Craig Anderson, my times in St. Louis, the guys here and obviously Vasilevskiy and Jonathan Quick. I’m pretty good at picking up some of their tricks and what not, just try to pick it up as you go along the way.” 17. At the end of Saturday, Stars sit in the first wild-card spot in the West with 71 points. The good news is that after beating the Blues, the Stars are within striking distance of them as they sit just ahead with 74 points. That’s pretty impressive given less than two weeks ago, St. Louis was on an 11-game winning streak, which the Stars snapped. Including that game, St. Louis has lost four of its last six games. The bad news is the Stars have absolutely no breathing room. Minnesota won its fifth straight game Saturday night and sits in the second wild-card spot, just one point back of the Stars. Beyond that, Arizona is riding a six- game winning streak and is just out of the picture with 69 points, and the Avalanche are right behind them with 68 points. 18. How are the players approaching this tight race down the stretch? As cliché as it may sound, one game at a time. “It’s a one-game-at-a-time mentality right now,” Bishop said. “You can’t really think about it because if you don’t take care of the game in front of you then you’re not going to get to where you want to be so I think it’s pretty easy for me to not think about it. I think that’s part of the reason why I’ve had success because I really just take it one game at a time and put all of my time and effort into that one team and try to get the results out of that team and then move on to the next.” “Three out of four on a pretty tough road trip that started on a back-to- back is pretty good for this time of year,” Benn said. “Taking it one game at a time.” 19. It sounds cliché but it there really is a lot of truth to that philosophy right now. Just look at the past few days: Wednesday night, the Stars were on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Two games and 72 hours later, they’re in the top wild-card spot and pushing the Blues for third place. 20. Here is how the Stars did when it came to Montgomery’s process: Win 56 percent of faceoffs: Failed. It was close, Stars won 55.2% of faceoffs. Zero undisciplined penalties: Failed. Three or fewer odd-man rushes: Passed. Win net-front battle: Failed. Win special teams: Passed. Scored on the power play, 3-3 on the PK.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134121 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings drop fifth straight, lose at Arizona Coyotes, 3-1

Jose M. Romero,

Published 11:55 p.m. ET March 2, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dylan Larkin scored for Detroit and Jimmy Howard finished with 41 saves in the Red Wings' loss to the Arizona Coyotes, 3- 1, Saturday night. Detroit has lost five straight.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vinnie Hinostroza each had a goal and assist for Arizona winning their sixth straight.

Hinostroza scored with the Coyotes clinging to a one-goal lead, putting in a rebound of his own shot at 4:37 of the third period.

The Red Wings had let up and thought the goal should've been disallowed, but after review it was deemed to be good, and the Coyotes moved out to a 3-1 lead.

The Coyotes, who lost 6-1 to the Red Wings in Detroit last November, struck first on Saturday and outshot the Red Wings 44-23. Ekman- Larsson's cross-ice pass found Archibald on the right wing, and his shot eluded Howard at 5:58 of the first period.

Before the period had ended, Ekman-Larsson registered his second point of the game. His shot from the left wing at 15:40 bounced up and crossed the goal line in midair before rattling out of the net.

Ekman-Larsson has a five-game point streak, with seven points in the span. He left for the dressing room midway through the second period after a mid-ice collision but returned after a few minutes.

The Coyotes were inches from an even bigger lead, but Howard made a glove save on a shot by Hinostroza from close range with 10:51 left in the first.

The Red Wings got on the board at 7:35 of the second period, in the last second of a power play. Larkin stuffed in Niklas Kronwall's pass, cutting the Coyotes' lead to 2-1.

Larkin leads Detroit with 27 goals and 62 points.

Notes: Red Wings F Anthony Mantha played in his 200th career NHL game. ... The Detroit bench was issued a bench minor penalty for delay of game early in the third period.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134122 Detroit Red Wings

Game recap: Detroit Red Wings lose to Arizona Coyotes, 3-1

Marlowe Alter

Published 5:54 a.m. ET March 2, 2019

Updated 11:03 p.m. ET March 2, 2019

Detroit Red Wings (23-32-9, 55 points) at Arizona Coyotes (31-28-5, 67 points)

When: 8 p.m. tonight.

Where: Gila River Arena, Glendale, Ariz.

TV: FSD+ and FSD.

Radio: 97.1 FM (Red Wings radio affiliates).

Game notes: The Red Wings lost their six straight Tuesday in an embarrassing 8-1 defeat to Montreal. Meanwhile, Arizona has won five in a row and eight of 10. ... The Wings won 6-1 over Arizona on Nov. 13. ... This is the first of five road games in six games for Detroit.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134123 Detroit Red Wings puck again — the horn went off accidentally, confusing things — and wristed a shot for his 11th goal.

Battle for the bottom Red Wings skid continues with loss to Coyotes Ottawa has the NHL’s worst record with 49 points. Detroit is next with 55 points, followed by Los Angeles with 56, Anaheim with 57, and New Ted Kulfan Jersey with 58. The Wings’ odds of getting the No. 1 pick overall are improving with every defeat. Published 11:10 p.m. ET March 2, 2019 Goaltending duel Updated 11:53 p.m. ET March 2, 2019 Howard was pulled his last three starts but was awfully good against the Coyotes with 41 saves. But Howard couldn’t best Arizona goalie Darcy Kuemper, who won his seventh consecutive start, stopping 23 shots. As Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (35) gives up a goal to Arizona the numbers would indicate, though, Howard had to face the much Coyotes' Josh Archibald as Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader (8) tougher chances. looks on during the first period. Zadina watch Glendale, Ariz. — Maybe a year from now the Red Wings will be where the Arizona Coyotes are now. In his third NHL game, Red Wings rookie Filip Zadina played 15:30 with one shot on net and one blocked shot. Zadina is scoreless through three And judging where the Coyotes are, the Wings would probably be happy games. Of the three games thus far, the Montreal game was arguably with that. They’d take it. Zadina’s best. Like most Wings against Arizona, Zadina wasn’t much of The resurgent Coyotes, who’ve been rebuilding, seemingly, for years an offensive threat. now, defeated the Wings 3-1 on Saturday. Up next After many stops and starts the Coyotes might finally have this rebuilding The Wings visit Denver Tuesday to conclude this two-game trip (9 stuff down pat. p.m./Fox Sports Detroit/97.1). The Avalanche defeated the Wings 1-0 The win was Arizona’s sixth in a row. The Coyotes (32-28-5) have won earlier this season. nine of the past 11, and with Saturday’s victory moved into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Detroit News LOADED: 03.03.2019 This despite losing over 350 man-games to injury, and a roster in constant flux. But the core of this Coyotes team has some high-end young talent.

A year ago, arguably, they might have been where the Red Wings are now.

“They’ve (the Wings) got high-end talent,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said after the morning skate. “They’re fast. They’re at a point where people want to impress people. We were like that last year (at this time).”

Not much is going right for the Wings (23-33-9), who are winless in seven games (0-5-2).

They were outshot 44-23, didn’t get much going offensively for long stretches, and despite a better effort than Tuesday’s ugly loss, it still wasn’t good enough to win.

Detroit's goal

Larkin scored with one second left on the power play at 7:35 of the second period. Anthony Mantha got the puck to Niklas Kronwall near the top of the slot, and Kronwall slapped a pass to Larkin driving to the net. Larkin redirected the puck past goalie Darcy Kuemper for his 27th goal.

Larkin keeps rolling

That’s 27 goals now for Larkin, adding to his career high, and with 62 points, Larkin is one shy of tying his career high of 63 last season. Larkin, though, won’t be happy with Saturday’s minus-3 plus-minus rating.

Mantha plays

Mantha missed Friday’s practice because of the flu and the Wings weren’t sure if he would play. The team recalled forward Christoffer Ehn on an emergency basis, but he wasn’t needed, as Mantha was good enough to play. Mantha played 17:21, was minus-2, and had 1 shot on net.

Arizona goals

Josh Archibald opened the scoring with his 10th goal, at 5:58 of the first period. Archibald took a pass from Oliver Ekman-Larsson down the right wing, and unleashed a shot from the top of the circle that might have deflected off Niklas Kronwall and knuckleballed past Jimmy Howard. Ekman-Larsson made it 2-0 later in the period. Vinnie Hinostroza found Ekman-Larsson trailing on a rush near the left dot. Ekman-Larsson one- timed a shot that bounced off Howard and into the top corner. Hinostroza made it 3-1 at 4:37 of the third period. Howard made a diving save on Richard Panik to open the sequence, then with both teams scrambling, Tyler Bertuzzi stopped Hinostroza’s shot. Hinostroza got the 1134124 Detroit Red Wings

Christopher Ilitch mum on possible Red Wings-Steve Yzerman reunion

Chris McCosky

Published 2:42 p.m. ET March 2, 2019

Lakeland, Fla. — Among the topics chairman and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Christopher Ilitch touched on Saturday at TigerTown, he also addressed the idea of Steve Yzerman rejoining the Red Wings organization in some capacity.

Asked if he had reached out to Yzerman, Ilitch said, “No, we have not done that. He is under contract and we generally have a rule within our organization not talking about executives or others who are under contract with another organization.

“There’s not a lot I can say about that other than I know his contract is expiring this summer, and leave it at that.”

Yzerman announced last year he was stepping down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, fueling speculation a return to Detroit might be in the works.

He continues to keep a home in Metro Detroit.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134125 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ skid reaches seven after loss to Coyotes

By The Associated Press

Updated 11:16 PM; Today 11:12 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vinnie Hinostroza each had a goal and assist, and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 Saturday night for their sixth straight victory.

The Coyotes have won six in a row for the first time since Feb. 16-28, 2012, and are in contention for a Western Conference wild-card spot with 17 games left in the regular season.

Josh Archibald added his 10th goal of the season for Arizona, and Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 shots for his seventh straight win.

Dylan Larkin scored for Detroit, which has lost five straight. Jimmy Howard finished with 41 saves.

Hinostroza scored with the Coyotes clinging to a one-goal lead, putting in a rebound of his own shot at 4:37 of the third period.

The Red Wings had let up and thought the goal should've been disallowed, but after review it was deemed to be good, and the Coyotes moved out to a 3-1 lead.

The Coyotes, who lost 6-1 to the Red Wings in Detroit last November, struck first on Saturday and outshot the Red Wings 44-23. Ekman- Larsson's cross-ice pass found Archibald on the right wing, and his shot eluded Howard at 5:58 of the first period.

Before the period had ended, Ekman-Larsson registered his second point of the game. His shot from the left wing at 15:40 bounced up and crossed the goal line in midair before rattling out of the net.

Ekman-Larsson has a five-game point streak, with seven points in the span. He left for the dressing room midway through the second period after a mid-ice collision but returned after a few minutes.

The Coyotes were inches from an even bigger lead, but Howard made a glove save on a shot by Hinostroza from close range with 10:51 left in the first.

The Red Wings got on the board at 7:35 of the second period, in the last second of a power play. Larkin stuffed in Niklas Kronwall's pass, cutting the Coyotes' lead to 2-1.

Larkin leads Detroit with 27 goals and 62 points.

NOTES: Former Coyotes center Antoine Vermette, who registered 149 points in 291 career games with Arizona, dropped the ceremonial first puck before the game. ... Ekman-Larsson reached 640 career games with the Coyotes, tied with Keith Tkachuk for sixth in franchise history. ... The Coyotes played their first game this season without center Derek Stepan, who is out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury suffered Thursday against Vancouver. ... Red Wings F Anthony Mantha played in his 200th career NHL game. ... The Detroit bench was issued a bench minor penalty for delay of game early in the third period.

UP NEXT

Detroit: At Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Arizona: Hosts Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134126 Edmonton Oilers doesn’t have skill — the Buffalo Sabres originally drafted him 13th overall in 2009 — and when he’s fully engaged, he’s a piece that can play anywhere in the lineup. His was an important tally given that the Blue Edmonton Oilers run wild on Blue Jackets Jackets are 25-5-2 when scoring first.

CURRIE FAVOUR

Robert Tychkowski Currie capped an endless cycle that had the Columbus fans booing before he even finished the play to make it 2-0. That gives the 26-year- March 2, 2019 2:50 PM MST old rookie, fresh off a two-assist night Ottawa, two goals and two assists in the last five games.

BIG REBOUND COLUMBUS — Who the hell were those guys? Koskinen has spent a lot of time this year alternating between clutch The Columbus Blue Jackets were asking themselves the same thing saves and softies that he would dearly love back. All goalies go through Saturday, when an Edmonton Oilers team that was supposed to serve as that, but his mood swings are more dramatic than most. When he’s on, fodder for their deafening goal-celebration cannon rolled into Nationwide however, he’s really on, and Saturday was one of those games. Arena and ambushed the bewildered hosts. “The only thing I care about is winning,” he said after his fourth shutout in The cannon stayed silent all game, but the Oilers definitely made 40 games. “That’s a great feeling after a win. I don’t care whether it’s 6-5 themselves heard in posting a convincing 4-0 victory that ended with a or 1-0, a win is a win. I’m just really happy how the team played in front of team that just loaded up on unrestricted free agents in anticipation of a me.” long playoff run getting booed off its own ice.

“It was a great game all around,” said Leon Draisaitl. “Other than the second period in Toronto, we’ve been playing some really, really good Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019 hockey lately. We’re getting rewarded for it. Everyone is contributing and playing to their strengths and it shows on the scoresheet.”

Edmonton improved to 2-1-1 on this five-game trip and 4-1-2 in their last seven.

“It was another good team performance,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “You don’t have to have the best players in the league to be successful, you need to have the best team and that’s what we’re proving night in and night out.

“We have a hell of a team going right now and we’re not going to let go of the rope.”

The Oilers not only ran wild on Blue Jackets, they checked off all the momentum-building, feel-good boxes along the way. Popular rookie Josh Currie scored again.

Alex Chiasson ended a 21-game scoring drought. Draisaitl hit 40 goals on the strength of a three-point night. Kris Russell had a two-point, plus- three, night.

Oh yeah, and embattled $13.5 million goalie Mikko Koskinen pitched a 30-save shutout.

You know it’s a strong team effort when you almost forget to mention Connor McDavid had three points to get to 90 on the season.

“The big guys are showing up, and we need them,” said Hitchcock. “But there are other guys contributing in little ways that really help us win hockey games right now.”.

The Blue Jackets’ home record is a mystifying 17-15-2 while going 19- 10-1 on the road, but most of this was Edmonton’s doing. They were selling out on defence and (finally) burying chances at the other end. It was easily their most complete game in a while.

For a team that looked totally outclassed in Toronto and had every opportunity to call it a season, this was impressive.

“We played great, it was great to see how we played today,” said Koskinen. “We’ve been playing really well lately. And today, everything went right.”

MAKE IT 10

Leon Draisaitl extended his consecutive game point streak to 10 with his cross-ice pass to set up Zack Kassian’s goal in the first period. He is becoming a scoring machine lately. The last time he went two games without a goal was 17 games ago, on Jan. 16 and 19. He has 16 goals in that span.

His three points gives him 81 on the season. Along with McDavid’s 90, it is the first time since and in 1991-92 that Edmonton’s had two 80-point players.

NICE FIT

Kassian’s first-period goal gave him two in two games as he continues to look good when Hitchcock slots him on the first line. It’s not like he 1134127 Edmonton Oilers Ty Rattie Ryan Malone

Oscar Klefbom Adam Larsson

Game Day: Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets Darnell Nurse Kris Russell

Andrej Sekera Matt Benning

Robert Tychkowski Mikko Koskinen

March 2, 2019 6:00 AM MST Anthony Stolarz

COLUMBUS

Flames legend Iginla reflects as jersey is raised: 'I won over and over Artemi Panarin Pierre-Luc Dubois Cam Atkinson again' Ryan Dzingel Matt Duchene Oliver Bjorkstrand EDMONTON OILERS (27-30-7) AT COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (36- 24-3) Nick Foligno Boone Jenner Josh Anderson

11 A.M. TV: SPORTSNET, RADIO: 630 CHED Eric Robinson RIley Nash Brandon Dubinsky

ALL IN Scott Harrington Seth Jones

The Blue Jackets are going as all in as any team has gone all in in some Zach Werenski David Savard time. They kept both of their pending UFAs at the deadline, then doubled Markus Nutivaara Adam McQuaid down by bringing in two more from Ottawa. This, despite not even having even locked down a playoff spot yet. Sergei Bobrovsky

MATH IS HARD Joonas Korpisalo

To fully illustrate how easy it would have been to lock up a playoff spot in INJURIES the West, consider this: On Jan 19 the Oilers were three points out of a COLUMBUS wildcard spot. They won just four of their next 17 games (4-9-4) and only lost four points worth of ground. Ryan Murray

HOME SICK EDMONTON

For some reason, the Blue Jackets seem to be a better team on the road Jujhar Khaira, Jessi Puljujarvi than at home. They are three games over .500 in Columbus (17-14-2) and nine games over .500 on the road (19-10-1). Their penalty killing is fourth in the league overall, but 13th at home. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.03.2019 OVERDUE

The goalless droughts are getting pretty long from some of the Oilers top nine forwards. Tobias Rieder hasn’t scored in 50 games. Milan Lucic hasn’t scored in 16. Alex Chiasson is on a 21-game slide. That’s a lot of blanks for a team that needs more pop.

THE WATCH

The Leon Draisaitl watch is now at 39 goals in 64 games, meaning he needs 11 in the final 18 to become the first player to score 50 goals in a season for the Oilers since Jari Kurri in 1987. Possible? He scored 15 goals in the previous 18 games.

Connor McDavid vs Artemi Panarin

The former rookie of the year candidates go head to head again in a showcase of two of the NHL’s most entertaining players. Panarin might have stolen the Calder during McDavid’s injury shortened rookie season, but the Oilers captain has pulled away since. McDavid isn’t going to catch Nikita Kucherov for a third-straight Art Ross title, but three-straight 100-point campaigns is well within reach. He’s at 87 with 18 games to go. Panarin proved he was no flash in the pan and is on pace to break his career high of 82 last year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Edmonton power play: 12th (21.8%) penalty kill: 29th (75.3%)

COLUMBUS power play: 26th (15.6%)

Penalty kill: 4th (83.6%)

OILERS LINES

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Connor McDavid Zack Kassian

Milan Lucic Leon Draisaitl Alex Chiasson

Tobias Rieder Colby Cave Josh Currie 1134128 Florida Panthers Miami Herald LOADED: 03.03.2019

Aho scores in OT, Hurricanes beat Panthers 4-3

BY PAUL GEREFFI

MARCH 02, 2019 11:21 PM

SUNRISE, FLA.

For the second time in 10 days, the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to beat the Florida Panthers.

Sebastian Aho scored at 1:46 of overtime to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Saturday night for their fifth straight win.

Aho took a pass from Nino Niederreiter and tipped in the puck from the edge of the crease for his team-leading 27th goal.

Brett Pesce tied the score for Carolina near the midpoint of the third period.

The Hurricanes scored two goals in the third period to beat the Panthers by the same 4-3 score on Feb. 21st.

"It's almost the exact same game we had in here a week ago or so," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We got ahead and then we just cruised and all of a sudden, boom, boom, boom it was in the net. We didn't learn our lesson obviously, but we came here for two points and that's what we're going away with."

Greg McKegg and Brock McGinn also scored for the Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek stopped 31 shots, including three breakaways in overtime.

"I can't say enough about our goaltending; it's been great lately and it's been a real difference for us," Brind'Amour said.

Henrik Borgstrom had two goals and an assist and Mark Pysyk also scored for the Panthers. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves in his NHL debut.

Borgstrom broke a 2-2 tie with his second goal. Jamie McGinn passed from behind the net out to Borgstrom in front. Borgstrom fired a shot past Mrazek at 5:32 of the third.

Pesce tied it again when he backhanded a loose puck from in front into the net at 8:19.

The Panthers lost their third consecutive overtime game.

"Up 3-2 with 8 minutes to go, it's a little tough to swallow," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said.

The Hurricanes got to the young goalie early, scoring two goals on the first three shots.

McGinn put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 after he stole the puck away from defenseman Keith Yandle and fired a shot past Montembeault 1:26 in.

McKegg made the score 2-0 when his shot from in front beat Montembeault on the stick side at 2:05.

"I was real nervous at the beginning of the game, not the start I wanted with those two quick goals," Montembeault said. "I put them behind me and took a deep breath and everything went better after that."

Borgstrom's shot from the left circle went high into the net at 5:01 to close the score to 2-1.

Pysyk got the puck off the faceoff and wristed a shot past Mrazek with 8:10 left in the first to tie it. The goal was Pysyk's first of the season.

NOTES: Montembeault, 22, was recalled from AHL Springfield Feb. 27 on an emergency basis. ... Hurricanes D Calvin de Haan missed his second game with an upper-body injury.

UP NEXT

Hurricanes: At Boston on Tuesday night.

Panthers: Host Ottawa on Sunday night.

1134129 Florida Panthers

Panthers fail to take advantage of opportunities, fall to Hurricanes in overtime

Staff

For the second time in 10 days, the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to beat the Florida Panthers.

Sebastian Aho scored at 1:46 of overtime to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Saturday night for their fifth straight win.

Aho took a pass from Nino Niederreiter and tipped in the puck from the edge of the crease for his team-leading 27th goal.

Brett Pesce tied the score for Carolina near the midpoint of the third period.

The Hurricanes scored two goals in the third period to beat the Panthers by the same 4-3 score on Feb. 21st.

"It's almost the exact same game we had in here a week ago or so," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We got ahead and then we just cruised and all of a sudden, boom, boom, boom it was in the net. We didn't learn our lesson obviously, but we came here for two points and that's what we're going away with."

Greg McKegg and Brock McGinn also scored for the Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek stopped 31 shots, including three breakaways in overtime.

"I can't say enough about our goaltending; it's been great lately and it's been a real difference for us," Brind'Amour said.

Henrik Borgstrom had two goals and an assist and Mark Pysyk also scored for the Panthers. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves in his NHL debut.

Borgstrom broke a 2-2 tie with his second goal. Jamie McGinn passed from behind the net out to Borgstrom in front. Borgstrom fired a shot past Mrazek at 5:32 of the third.

Pesce tied it again when he backhanded a loose puck from in front into the net at 8:19.

The Panthers lost their third consecutive overtime game.

"Up 3-2 with 8 minutes to go, it's a little tough to swallow," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said.

The Hurricanes got to the young goalie early, scoring two goals on the first three shots.

McGinn put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 after he stole the puck away from defenseman Keith Yandle and fired a shot past Montembeault 1:26 in.

McKegg made the score 2-0 when his shot from in front beat Montembeault on the stick side at 2:05.

"I was real nervous at the beginning of the game, not the start I wanted with those two quick goals," Montembeault said. "I put them behind me and took a deep breath and everything went better after that."

Borgstrom's shot from the left circle went high into the net at 5:01 to close the score to 2-1.

Pysyk got the puck off the faceoff and wristed a shot past Mrazek with 8:10 left in the first to tie it. The goal was Pysyk's first of the season.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134130 Florida Panthers

Preview: Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m., Sunday

Brett Shweky

When/where: 5 p.m., Sunday/BB&T Center, Sunrise

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

Scouting report: Following their matchup against Carolina on Saturday at the BB&T Center, the Florida Panthers will take on the Ottawa Senators to conclude their two-game homestand. … Through Friday’s games, the Panthers were nine points back in the wild-card race with Carolina holding on to the final spot and 5-3-2 in its past 10 contests. … Ottawa, who took on Tampa in its last outing, enter Sunday’s meeting with the league's worst record. … As of Friday, the Senators were 2-8-0 in their last 10 games with the team having lost six consecutive games. … The Panthers will be the second of three straight road games for the Senators.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134131 Florida Panthers the Rangers as an 18-year-old in 1981. “He did that well, made a big save after giving up a couple. Ours is a position where you have to bounce back and get reset for the next set of plays. You can’t get caught Welcome to the show, kid. Montembeault survives rocky start in solid up in things, can’t look at the bench, especially knowing they got a real NHL debut for Panthers good guy there. That’s always going through your mind.”

With Luongo playing all three games of the most recent western road trip — and the Panthers playing consecutive home games this weekend — By George Richards the decision was made to give Montembeault his initial game Saturday against a Carolina team making a hard charge to the postseason.

Luongo is expected to start Sunday against Ottawa, with Boughner SUNRISE, Fla. — At times over the past two seasons, Samuel saying the extra day should be of great benefit to the 39-year-old. Montembeault was teased with a game in the big leagues. “I talked to Lu today and we made the decision in the morning; Lu was Sure, he got to skate in NHL practices, suit up for games, even take tired and needed a day of rest and we know how many minutes he warmups and travel with the Florida Panthers. played in the past week,” Boughner said. “I think it was right call no Until Saturday night, however, he never had the chance to play in an matter what. I wanted to see the kid battle through it. He did. The guys NHL game. really pushed hard for him and it would have been a dream come true to win this game. But he can be proud of himself for staying composed and The 22-year-old, who is being groomed to eventually take over the battling back. Good for him. He helped get us a point.” Florida goaltending duties, was told Thursday he would get his debut game sometime this weekend. Montembeault was a third-round pick in the 2015 NHL draft held in this building, telling reporters then that he “grew up watching a lot of Roberto Friday, goalie coach Robb Tallas told him it was a 99 percent certainty he Luongo. He was one of my favorite players.” would go Saturday against the visiting Hurricanes and, after morning skate, that 1 percent of doubt was erased. Saturday night, Luongo was watching — and rooting for — Montembeault. “I did have trouble falling asleep for my nap this afternoon,” he said. Montembeault says it is “always special” to be working as closely as he His parents and his brother flew down from Quebec for the occasion, and has with Luongo, to have a locker stall next to his. And, Luongo’s brother Montembeault’s Florida teammates gave him the rookie haze during Leo works very closely with Montembeault as goalie coach of the AHL warmups of taking the lead lap around the ice alone. Thunderbirds.

He made his first official NHL save 1:18 into the game but then the fun, at “He was put into a tough spot and that is sure not the start you want,” least momentarily, stopped. said. “I thought things could have gone off the rails, but he stuck with it and gave us a chance to win. He stayed calm and Carolina scored twice within a span of 29 seconds. collected the whole time. That’s a great sign of maturity. A start like that Welcome to the show, kid. can certainly rattle a goalie.”

“It’s not the way you want to start your first NHL game, giving up two Other impressions from Montembeault’s first NHL game: goals on the first three shots,” Montembeault said after the game, a 4-3 Goalie coach Tallas: “You hate to see the first couple of shots go in like overtime loss to the Hurricanes in which he made 22 saves. that, but I think it showed a lot of his growth that he was able to compose “I had to put them behind me, take a deep breath. A goalie needs a short himself and get back in the game. He didn’t have a ton of action, which memory. … It’s not the first time I gave up two goals quick like that. I can be tough, but he was composed after two quick goals and you could needed to be strong mentally. I knew there was nothing I could do about see his confidence grow as the game went on.” them.” Borgstrom: “Honestly, he didn’t stand a chance on those first goals. The Fans might have looked to see if Roberto Luongo was throwing on the first one was like a one-in-a-million shot, and the second one, the guy mask to come in with the quick hook, but coach Bob Boughner stayed came in wide open. After that he was very solid, I thought. He’s great with his rookie. with the stick, great with the puck.”

Montembeault definitely recovered. The first two goals weren’t exactly The question now is, what is next for Montembeault? easy ones to make. The Panthers are expected to go shopping for a new starting goaltender Brock McGinn, younger brother of Florida forward Jamie, pounced on a next season and will have either Luongo or James Reimer (who got hurt loose puck left by Keith Yandle in front of the goal cage and fired a shot Tuesday in Arizona leading to Montembeault’s emergency recall) as the past Montembeault to make it 1-0. backup.

On the Hurricanes next trip down the ice, Lucas Wallmark played a puck That likely leaves Montembeault at least starting next season back in the off the back wall and fed a streaking Greg McKegg in the slot for AHL as the Panthers would prefer he spend perhaps another season or Carolina’s second goal. two in the minors before he comes to Florida on a more permanent basis.

Montembeault took off his mask and looked a little exasperated. Only he That’s a ways off, though. A lot can happen between now and next never lost his composure. season.

“I think he was nervous,” Boughner said, “and we didn’t help him too “Obviously there is no rush and he’s playing a lot down in Springfield,” much. We didn’t manage the puck too well and they brought some jump Boughner said. “He’s earning his call-up but he needs to keep working on at us in those first five minutes. He settled down, made a big save just his body, keep getting bigger and stronger. I think he has a bright future, before we scored and he looked good after that.” but you don’t want to rush a guy, say ‘he’s on our team next year’ just yet. He needs a big summer, a good training camp and (to) make it a John Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers’ first goalie, was in the building hard decision on us.” scouting for the Team USA world championships squad. He was impressed with Montembeault shaking off the early sting. Firsts in goal

The Panthers, thanks to goals from Mark Pysyk and Henrik Borgstrom, Former Florida goalie and current NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes tied the score at 2 just past the midway point of the opening period. recalled his first game and how it came about in much different circumstances. Florida took a 3-2 lead in the third period off Borgstrom’s second goal only to see the Hurricanes tie it on a backhanded shot from Brett Pesce Weekes was on the Florida bench, much like Montembeault has been a at 8:19 of the third. Sebastian Aho won it 1:46 into overtime. few times over the past two seasons, when then-coach Doug MacLean turned his way. “You do not control how a game is going to go sometimes and you have to control your emotions,” said Vanbiesbrouck, who made his debut with The Panthers were down 4-0 in Dallas when Weekes replaced Vanbiesbrouck on Oct. 16, 1997.

A week later, Weekes made his first NHL start. Getting those first 12 minutes of mop-up duty, he said was extremely helpful. “I was super nervous,” Weekes said, “but that ice-breaker really helped.”

Vanbiesbrouck was an emergency recall himself, but he was a youngster playing in the Quebec junior league when the New York Rangers had him start in Denver against a team that eventually moved to New Jersey and became the Devils.

He gave up one goal, beat the Rockies and was sent back to his junior team.

“You hope to get your turn and you really never know when it is going to come,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “We went into Colorado and you really want to get going, take some shots in warmups. Of course you are nervous, and you want to face some pucks, get the feel of it. Time goes by fast sometimes — but sometimes it goes very slow.”

Borgstrom also recalled how nervous he was in his first NHL game with the Panthers and said he could not imagine the pressure Montembeault was under — as the starting goalie in the glare of the spotlight.

“I would probably pass out,” Borgstrom said. “This was a tough game to play in, the team we played and the time of year it is. But he handled it well. He did real good.”

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134132 Los Angeles Kings period and Brown added an insurance goal at 18:07 after Anze Kopitar forced a turnover.

“It’s kind of relief,” Kempe said of his emotions after his one-goal, one- Kings and Blackhawks turn back the clock in 6-3 L.A. victory assist performance. “It was a big win but I think everybody’s been in a good mood. Obviously there’s been frustration out there, but we stuck with it. We kept battling through it." By HELENE ELLIOTT Forward Austin Wagner, a rare bright spot in the Kings' dismal season, MAR 02, 2019 | 6:10 PM left in the second period with a lower-body injury after absorbing a hit from Chicago defenseman Gustav Forsling. Desjardins said he expected

Wagner to be examined on Sunday, a day off for the team. For a few moments on Saturday it was easy to imagine the calendar had At least the Kings had the consolation of a slump-busting win to enjoy spun backward five years to the time the Kings and the Chicago until they reconvene for practice on Monday. “Just awesome,” Doughty Blackhawks dominated the NHL. described it, before pausing. “It feels really good,” he said, “but it’s hard The Blackhawks, on a power play in the first period, repeatedly tried to to look past all those losses we had.” set up Patrick Kane and were successful because the puck always seems to find elite players. Kane, still as feared a scorer as when the teams alternated as Stanley Cup champions in 2012-13-14-15, LA Times: LOADED: 03.03.2019 unleashed a shot from the right circle. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped it with his arm and shoulder. Kane got the puck again. Quick, tracking the puck well through traffic, again stopped it with the left side of his body, but the Blackhawks maintained possession. That created another one-on-one between Quick and Kane. Quick prevailed again, going to his knees to keep the puck in front of him before he froze it and got a stoppage.

It was 30 seconds of a rivalry reborn, a re-creation of the time these teams battled for supremacy instead of for position in the draft lottery. “Bringing back memories,” Kyle Clifford said with a smile.

The rest of the game — a 6-3 victory by the Kings at Staples Center that ended their 10-game losing streak — didn’t come close to matching that brilliant sequence. Neither team was capable of sustaining a high level because both have aged badly and have lost the defensive steadiness that became their trademark. The Kings have fired two coaches since they beat Chicago in the 2014 Western Conference final and won the second of their two Cup titles in three seasons; the Blackhawks dismissed three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville four months ago and are enduring their own painful rebuilding process.

The glory days were fun, but that was then and this is now. And now is a low point, with neither the Kings nor the Blackhawks headed to the playoffs. “It’s two different teams out there. Not the same teams,” said defenseman Drew Doughty, who played a game-high 29 minutes and 29 seconds and was among the 10 Kings who earned at least one point. “We’ve got some of the same stars and stuff like that but a lot different circumstances with us both being at the bottom of the pack.”

Ah, that. After scoring a season-high six goals the Kings (24-33-8) sat 15th in the West and 29th in the NHL. The Blackhawks (27-29-9), fading after a surge had carried them within dreaming distance of a postseason berth, ranked 11th in the West and 24th in the league. Nostalgia has little significance to players in a season defined by frustration and struggle. “To win against anybody is satisfying,” Quick said in his typical unsentimental fashion. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. Just to get a win is big.”

The victory was their first since a 3-2 overtime decision at Philadelphia on Feb. 7 and their first at Staples Center since a 4-3 triumph over St. Louis on Jan. 21. The All-Star break, bye week, and a road-heavy schedule made Saturday’s game only their fourth on home ice since then, but it seemed like forever ago. “It’s just a way better feeling when you win,” interim coach Willie Desjardins said.

The Kings built a 3-0 lead in the first period on power-play goals by Dustin Brown and Sean Walker and an even-strength goal that Ilya Kovalchuk snapped past an often-shaky Corey Crawford. They gave it back on two goals by Brandon Perlini — the second set up on a stretch pass by Crawford during a bad line change by the Kings — and a shot by defenseman Connor Murphy that grazed the leg of Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid on the way to the net and rose past Quick’s reach at 6:57 of the second period.

Kings forward Adrian Kempe broke the tie at 8:08 of the second period. Linemate Jonny Brodzinski intercepted a pass by Kane — who was held scoreless — and passed to Kempe, who lifted a shot into the upper-left corner of the net for his 10th goal this season. It held up as his second winner after Brendan Leipsic padded the Kings’ lead to 5-3 when his shot from between the circles knuckled past Crawford at 4:54 of the third 1134133 Los Angeles Kings MacDermid has five goals, 10 assists and a plus-8 ratio in 48 games at Ontario this season.

This and that Big Kurtis MacDermid trying to hone game for Kings The Kings have two more games left on this homestand. They host Montreal on Tuesday and St. Louis on Thursday. Both games begin at By ROBERT MORALES 7:30 p.m. The Kings will then hit the road for games March 9 at Arizona and March 10 at Anaheim. … Kings forward Austin Wagnersustained a PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 9:48 pm lower-body injury during Saturday’s game and did not return.

UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 9:48 PM

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.03.2019 LOS ANGELES – Kurtis MacDermid split time between the Kings and their AHL affiliate in Ontario this past season. In his 34 games with the Kings, the 6-foot-5, 233-pound defenseman had a goal, three assists and a minus-4 ratio with 57 penalty minutes. He was also arguably the team’s meanest fighter.

But he started this season in Ontario and wasn’t recalled until Tuesday. He played 15:12 in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Dallas, had a shot on goal, a blocked shot and two penalty minutes with a minus-1 ratio. He played 10:28 in Saturday’s 6-3 victory over Chicago with a blocked shot and even ratio.

MacDermid, 24, is a big guy. But that doesn’t mean as much as it used to, so he spent his time in the minors trying to improve his worth in as many areas as possible.

“I think it’s just overall game and rounding out those areas that need (work) and using my body and strength to impose on the other team, but at the same time having a good stick and making good plays coming out out of the zone,” he said, when asked the differencebetween his game now and what it was a season ago.

MacDermid said he knew he didn’t have a spot locked up on the team ahead of training camp because, as he put it, “I’m always going to be a player that has to come in, earn his spot.”

He admitted it wasn’t easy to start the season in the minors, but it seems his philosophical approach was on target.

“Yeah, but it’s a process at the same time,” he said. “So you have to make sure you’re ready for this league and sometimes you have to go back down and work on those things until you get back up and you’re ready to come back and play.”

Interim coach Willie Desjardins after practice Friday conceded it isn’t easy to assess MacDermid after his game Thursday, other than to say, “He handled himself well.”

Desjardins does like certain things about MacDermid, though.

“He’s a big-body guy, he gives us a presence back there,” Desjardins said. “We don’t really have that as much, so he gives us that side of it. I think at the same time it’s a key to how you move the puck and getting back and I think that’s an area he’s gotta make sure he keeps working on.”

Desjardins agreed being large in today’s game doesn’t carry the same impact as it did once upon a time, but it’s not like size is irrelevant.

“I don’t think it’s needed nearly as much in today’s game,” he said. “I think maybe in the playoffs it’s needed a little bit more because you’ve got the same team over and over. But I think when you only see a team once or you don’t see them all the time, maybe not quite as important.

“But the game’s still a game where you have to be ready to play hard and play physical and it’s nice to have a guy like that around just to take care of things if things get out of hand.”

Desjardins said that kind of stuff rubs off on teammates, too.

“He plays the game hard, which is good,” Desjardins said of MacDermid. “The other thing about playing it that way, you bring other guys into the game.”

MacDermid also would like to score more, but not at the expense of his defense.

“Whenever I can chip in on points and help the team, that’s always a positive,” he said. “It’s always fun getting on the score sheet. But my main rule is making sure I’m keeping the puck out of the net.” 1134134 Los Angeles Kings “It’s good to get a win,” he said.

He said he liked getting two on the power-play. But he focused more on the victory. Kings snap 10-game losing streak with win over Chicago “In the end, it’s just a way better feeling when you win,” Desjardins said.

The Kings entered the game 14 points out of a playoff spot in the By ROBERT MORALES Western Conference, and it would take a miracle for them to make the PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 5:02 pm post-season with just 17 games left to play.

UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 5:02 PM Chicago is closer, though, having began the day just five points out of the playoffs. But the Blackhawks didn’t play like it, coach Jeremy Colliton intimated.

LOS ANGELES – Nearly a month. That’s how long the Kings went “We did not have what we needed, for sure,” he said. “It is tough when without a victory ahead of Saturday’s afternoon game against the visiting you have to come from behind in a game. You are just burning energy Chicago Blackhawks. and chasing it the whole time.”

Thanks to an effort that saw five different players score goals and 10 get Quick stopped 29 shots, Crawford 19. points, the Kings defeated Chicago 6-3 before 18,230 at Staples Center to break a 10-game losing streak. The Kings next play host to Montreal on Tuesday night at 7:30.

The last time the Kings had a victory was Feb. 7 at Philadelphia. The franchise record for consecutive losses is 11 in 2004. Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.03.2019 Another reason why the Kings (24-33-8, 56 points) were able to snap the streak was because they didn’t fall apart after the Blackhawks caught them 3-3 after the Kings led 3-0 on first-period goals by Dustin Brown, Sean Walker and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Asked what he was thinking after Chicago (27-29-9, 63 points) scored the next three goals and tied the game on Connor Murphy’s tally at 6:57 of the second period, Kings forward Kyle Clifford smiled and said, “Yeah, score the next goal.”

Yes, there were smiles in the locker room afterward.

After Murphy tied the game, Adrian Kempe came back just over a minute later – at 8:08 of the second – and scored his 10th of the season for a 4- 3 Kings lead.

Kempe was among those grinning instead of frowning, something the Kings have done a lot of lately.

“Yeah, it was great,” he said. “I think we have some OT losses and stuff like that so, obviously, it’s been a tough time. But I think other than the first 10 minutes of the second period, we were the better team and we played good as a team and we scored a lot ofgoals.

“That was big for our confidence.”

The Kings were 0-6-4 during their losing streak.

Once Kempe put the Kings ahead, they didn’t look back. They kept attacking and got third-period goals from Brown – his second of the game and 16th of the season – and Brendan Leipsic. Leipsic now has six on the season and has scored in back-to-back games.

Leipsic also had an assist. He agreed having so many players on the score sheet makes it difficult for an opponent.

“Well, it makes it pretty tough unless they score seven goals, right?” he said, cracking a sly smile. “So it was good to get contributions from everybody, nice to see our power-play click early.”

The Kings’ first two goals of the game – by Brown and Walker – came on the power-play at 2:23 and 4:42 of the first period, respectively.

The Kings were 2-for-2 on the power-play, the Blackhawks were 0-for-2.

Chicago’s comeback began when Brendan Perlini scored the first of his two goals late in the first period – at 18:46. He scored again at 2:06 of the second after goalie Corey Crawford made a stop of a really long shot and delivered a very long pass to Perlini just outside the attacking blue line. Perlini went in on Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and beat him into the upper left corner. Crawford had the lone assist.

The goals were Nos. 6 and 7 for Perlini.

Murphy tied the game less than five minutes later, but it was all Kings after that.

Kings interim coach Willie Desjardins seemed relieved, at least to a degree. 1134135 Los Angeles Kings earlier in the year so you can’t forget about that, they’re playing solid back there for us, and we always have good goaltending.

Mike Stothers on whether he’s ever seen anything like the ending to FINAL – ONTARIO 5, IOWA 4 (OT) tonight’s game

To be honest with you, no, I don’t think I have. It was 4-1, time was ZACH DOOLEY running out for us and it certainly didn’t look promising. In all honestly, we didn’t have a whole lot going on, but then you know, it’s a crazy game. MARCH 2, 20190 They take a major penalty and all of a sudden, your power play gets a chance to get on the ice. The crazy part is, because they’re killing the

penalty, they can ice the puck without any repercussions, we’ve got the You’ve just got to love a good comeback story. goalie out, they tried it a couple times and luckily they missed the net and we were able to capitalize. You know what, I can’t put enough praise on This one starts with less than five minutes to play in regulation of Friday’s the players and the resolve they have. They never gave up. It just game between Ontario and Iowa. The Reign trailed 4-1, when Iowa seemed when it was a five-minute major going on the board, the energy forward Michael Liambias was given a five-minute major for a blindside on the bench was unbelievable, the guys just couldn’t wait to climb over hit on Ontario captain Brett Sutter, putting the Reign on the PP for the the boards, so good on them. You get your usual veteran guys that come rest of the night after the charging call. through with some pretty big plays. Luffer made a great pass to Mouly there at the end for the game-winning goal, but accolades through to Just over a minute later, forward Zack Mitchell scores the first power-play everybody. I was happy too, Wyszmoirski, got in there right away after goal, it’s 4-2. Exactly 100 seconds later, Brett Sutter tallies his second the hit on Sutts, by Liambas, he got in there and addressed it the right goal and third point of the evening and it’s 4-3. Iowa takes its timeout but, way without us taking a penalty to nullify their power play. It should make 16 seconds of game time after the Sutter goal, Matt Luff ties the game for a great rematch tomorrow. with a wrist shot from the top of the right-hand circle and it’s a 4-4 game. In the span of those three goals, which all came on the power play with On the Reign’s continued fight and showing they have something to play the Reign net empty, it felt like the Wild shot for and missed the empty for net ten times, coming inches away on certain occasions. I alluded to it yesterday, but this is where you see what you’ve got in your But, as fate would have it, the game moved into overtime, where the organization and you’re looking for character right now. It’s been a hard Reign converted for the fourth time on the same man advantage, this year as far as the win column, right? Now, it’s getting down to that stretch Matt Moulson goal, his team-leading 25th of the season, to put the game where teams are jockeying for positions in the players, teams are on the away and cap off one of the wildest comebacks I’ve ever seen. Four outside looking in and right now, we’re a long ways still looking to get in goals on one power play. Four. there. We want to see how guys react to adversity, and you can see it through these past two games. There’s a lot of character, there’s a lot of Earlier this season, the Reign overturned a four-goal deficit in the third pride and I think that’s a positive for us going forward as an organization. period against Tucson, to win 7-6 in overtime and that was pretty They’re sticking up for each other, we never count ourselves out and incredible in itself. But the close proximity of tonight’s goals just made it they’re still trying to make big plays. We are now playing a way that, that much more energetic. The CBBA was as loud in that span as it’s whenever a team comes in here, they’re now leaving the building saying been all season and the Reign get pretty great moment, in a season that “that team plays hard,” and that’s what you want. You want them talking hasn’t had a ton of then, as they won games on back-to-back nights for about it like “I hate playing against the Reign, it’s a hard team to play the first time this season. against, they never give up.” I think we’ve got some good people and if The Reign threw 54 shots on goal, including 27 in the third period alone, the fortunes for the organization are going to turn around in a positive which tied a season-high for shots in a single period. In net, goaltender way, we’ve got an upcoming future. Peter Budaj made 33 saves on 37 shots as he earned the victory, his On Zack Mitchell’s play as of late sixth of the season. It was tough for Mitch to get on track [at the start of the season]. I don’t The Reign and Wild will attempt to top this evening’s game tomorrow know if it was just coming to a new organization after spending quite a afternoon, with a 3 PM rematch in Ontario. IT will sure be hard to top few years in the Minnesota organization. Sometimes, it’s more of an tonight’s action, but I’m looking forward to it either way. adjustment than you realize. I think now, we’re seeing kind of the player Post-Game Quotes that we anticipated and it’s reflective of that he stuck with it. He went through some times when he was a healthy scratch and that’s not an Zack Mitchell on the comeback and whether he’s ever experienced easy thing to do as a coach and it’s not an easy thing to do as a veteran anything like that player, but he’s always kept a good attitude. He’s worked hard and he’s worked through it and it’s worth working through the down times, I don’t think so, we had a good one earlier [against Tucson in November], because on the other side, there’s a pot of gold or whatever, but it’s but we had a little bit more time to work with. This one, we had four on worth it. It’s worth it to go through that adversity, because the other side, the one power play, I’ve never seen four on a single power play before. that’s what you’re striving for, it makes you a better person. That’s what we want to do. They had a cheap hit on our captain, so we’re glad to comeback with a few goals.

On the team’s resolve and never say die attitude LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.03.2019 Yeah, I mean you’ve got to have hope, if you don’t believe in yourself then you’re going to show it on the ice. You’ve got to give these guys a lot of credit, no one gave up when we were down by whatever it was with four minutes left, no one gave up on that bench. We’ve got a great group of forwards and some offensive defensemen and we were able to get it done.

On his own scoring streak extending to 8 games and whether it feels like it’s coming together for him

Yeah for sure. I think as a team, we’re all just playing better. Being able to get some offense from our third line helps a lot. The guys I’m playing with, they’re all playing better and we’re just all playing better as a unit.

On the team’s current forward depth and getting scoring throughout the lineup

I mean, top to bottom, we’re the deepest we’ve been, but on D too, we’ve got guys that are stepping up that haven’t gotten maybe this opportunity 1134136 Los Angeles Kings It’s huge. You look at all the good teams, they’ve got scoring up and down their lineup so it’s just good to get contributions from everybody. Some were on the scoresheet and some weren’t.

Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI Clifford, on responding to the Blackhawks tying the game up in the second period:

JON ROSEN I thought we just stuck to our game plan and tightened it up a little bit. Played our style of hockey. MARCH 2, 20190 Clifford, on what he was thinking when Connor Murphy tied the game at 3-3:

Rapid Reaction, feat. Mark Lazerus of The Athletic Yeah, score the next goal.

Post-game Quotes Adrian Kempe, on today’s game boosting the team’s morale:

Willie Desjardins, on ending the losing streak: … a few losses and stuff like that, so obviously it’s been a tough time, but I think other than the first ten minutes in the second period, we were the Yeah, it’s been a long time. It’s good to get a win. I thnkn that we played better team and we played good as a team and scored a lot of goals so pretty good against Dallas. I thought this was a tough game. Like, I didn’t that was big for our confidence. think our start was great. We were good on the power play – we got a couple a on the power play, and in the end, it’s just a way better feeling Kempe, on getting contributions from up and down the lineup: when you win. Like as I said, confidence is a big thing and when you get confidence you Desjardins, on how getting points from 10 players makes it “tough on an play better and I think that’s kind of what we needed to get going here. I opponent”: think this was a perfect game to get everybody going and now we’ve just got to keep going here. We have some games left and everybody’s got to It does. I think that’s a good thing, though. Our young guys, they’re step up the way we played tonight. Hopefully we can keep that going. getting a little bit more ice time, and it’s great to see them score. That’s a good sign for the team when you’re not just relying on your veteran Kempe, on starting the last few games with a strong first period: players or your older players, so it was good. It wasn’t just their scoring. Their overall play was good. Obviously you want to play — home games are really important — you want to play good in front of our fans and our building and we know that Desjardins, on whether he had an update on Austin Wagner: we want to make it tough on the teams coming in here. Obviously there’s some games that we haven’t had that good of a start, so obviously that’s No, he’ll have to get checked. I’ll imagine tomorrow, and we’ll find out one thing we wanted to think about before games is that we make sure where he’s at. that we come out hard and get the pucks deep in the beginning. I think Desjardins, on whether the win provided a sense of “relief”: we’ve done that in the last couple of games and it probably has been good too, so we just have to keep that going. I think there would be a sense, for sure. There’s just so many good NHL teams that any given night you know you’re in for a tough game. For us, Kempe, on how it feels to break the team’s losing streak: it was nice to get a win. Being back at home, hopefully we’ll be able to Yeah, kind of relief. It was a big win, but everybody’s been in a good get a few more. mood lately. Obviously there’s been frustration out there, but I mean we Desjardins, on the power play’s improvement: just stuck with it and I think our last couple of games have been tight and we haven’t really got our bounces with us. So, just kept battling through it I think Marco Sturm’s done a great job with it. I think they’ve spent time and tonight we had a win, so that was great for the team. with it, they’ve worked at it. We made a few changes on it, too, a few adjustments. It was good. Like, other games we’ve had chances, they Brendan Leipsic, on getting contributions from multiple players in the just didn’t go, but tonight it was good they went. lineup:

Desjardins, on whether Corey Crawford had an off-night: Well, it makes it pretty tough, unless they score seven goals, right? So it was good to get contributions from everybody. Nice to see our power I don’t know. Maybe there’s one or two he’d like back, I think, but he also play click early. We gave up a couple there in the second, but we played made some big saves. Like, he made some really big saves as well. I on our toes the rest of the game, got a win. think in the end it works out. He’s a good goaltender, and I’m sure maybe he’ll want one of them back, but we could’ve scored on that breakaway, Leipsic, on whether there is a sense of relief now that they have broken too. In the second we could’ve put it away earlier, so he made some big their losing streak: saves. We’ve been in a lot of games lately. We’ve let them slip away in the third Kyle Clifford, on how good it feels to get the win: a little bit, so it’s nice to get one early there. And then didn’t step back too much. Didn’t give them a whole lot. I thought our forwards did a good job I thought everybody played well tonight and that’s the way we’ve got to of coming back. Our defense stepped up at the line and denied some of play every night. It just shows what we’re capable of when we’ve got a their entries which is what they do best. consistent team effort and play a full 60. Leipsic, on shutting down the Blackhawks’ top two lines: Clifford, on day games having been a challenge for the team in the past: You’re not going to keep them quiet all night, but you want to do your Yeah, you know we just prepare for every game like it’s the same best to contain them. They’re elite players that are going to get their whether it’s at 1:00 or 7:30 and it’s just nice to win. chances so you just try and keep them at a minimum and keep them to the outside and when you do have time to pressure them, pressure them. Clifford, on what snapping the losing streak says about the team’s They’re going to make plays, but I thought we for the most part did a resilience: good job on them. A lot of us have been together a long time and these stretches, been Post-game Notes through ‘em before — maybe not to that extent — but we know it’s going to take everybody to get out of ‘em and it’s going to take everybody to –With the win, Los Angeles improved to 86-89-22 all-time against build moving forward. Chicago, a record that includes a 45-41-11 home mark. The Kings are 8- 3-0 in their last 11 games against the Blackhawks and with a record of 2- Clifford, on whether the team had fun in today’s game: 0-0 assured themselves of a winning record in the season series for the Yeah, you know winning’s fun. So, simple answer. fourth consecutive year. These teams have one game remaining, March 30 at Staples Center. Clifford, on five different players scoring and 10 different players earning points: –With the win, the Kings improved to 15-16-4 against the Western Conference, 7-8-2 against the Central Division, 10-17 in games decided by three or more goals, 17-4-2 when scoring first, 10-0-1 when leading after the first period, 17-1-3 when leading after the second period and 15- 19-6 when outshot.

–Los Angeles’ losing streak ended at 10 games (0-6-4), which ties it with a 10-game losing streak (0-10-0) from February 22 – March 9, 1984 for the second-longest in club history. The longest losing streak is 11 games (0-9-0-2) from March 16 – April 4, 2004. The longest winless streak in club history is 17 games (0-13-4) from January 29 – March 5, 1970

–Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford each recorded an assist in the game, marking the sixth time since 1993-94 that both goalies had an assist in a game, and first time since Cory Schneider (VAN) and Steve Mason (CBJ) each recorded assists on March 17, 2012.

–With two goals, Dustin Brown (276 career goals) leapfrogged Butch Goring (275) for sixth place on the team’s all-time goals list. He trails Luc Robitaille (557), Marcel Dionne (550), Dave Taylor (431), Bernie Nicholls (327) and Anze Kopitar (309). He recorded his second two-goal game of the year.

–With two assists, Jeff Carter (362-337=699) is one point shy of 700 in his career. He played in his 963rd career game.

–The Kings attempted 42 shots (25 on goal, 8 blocked, 9 missed). The Blackhawks attempted 65 shots (32 on goal, 16 blocked, 17 missed). Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook tied with a game-high six shots on goal, while Dustin Brown finished with a team-high five.

–Los Angeles won 28-of-50 faceoffs (56%). Adrian Kempe won 6-of-12, Anze Kopitar won 12-of-19 Trevor Lewis won 3-of-6, Jonny Brodzinski won 1-of-1 and Jeff Carter won 6-of-12.

Sunday, March 3 is an off-day for the team. The Kings’ next practice is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

Injury News

Austin Wagner didn’t return to the game after colliding with Gustaf Forsling and crashing into the corner boards:

Wagner not on the bench after this hit with Forsling: https://t.co/93LZNWAvPz#CHIvsLAK #Blackhawks #GoKingsGo #LAKings pic.twitter.com/y3hF5GSpO9

— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 2, 2019

While Connor Murphy scored Chicago’s third goal on the ensuing rush in the other direction, Wagner skated gingerly back to the bench and remained there briefly before heading down the tunnel to the dressing room. He didn’t return, with a team public relations representative noting that he suffered a lower-body injury. As shared by Willie Desjardins above, the team will have a better sense of the extent of his injury after an evaluation tomorrow.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134137 Los Angeles Kings third AHL stop of the season, after playing four games apiece with Grand Rapids and Hartford.

THREE-IN-THREE: Tonight’s game continues the first and only three- PREVIEW – ONTARIO VS. IOWA, 3/2 and-three set of the season for the Ontario Reign. This set is the fifth three-in-three in the Reign’s AHL franchise history: The Reign did not skate in any three-in-three sets a season ago, but did have a pair in both ZACH DOOLEY the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. The Reign’s opponent tonight, the , are also in the midst of a three-in-three set this weekend, after MARCH 2, 20190 their win in Bakersfield yesterday.

GAME PREVIEWONTARIO REIGN LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.03.2019 WHO: Ontario Reign (18-25-5-2) vs. (29-17-6-5)

WHAT: AHL REGULAR SEASON GAME

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, @ 6:00 PM

WHERE: Citizens Business Bank Arena – Ontario, CA

HOW TO FOLLOW: Video: AHLTV – AUDIO – Mixlr – TWITTER: @ontarioreign & @reigninsider

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Ontario Reign are back at it this evening in the middle game of a weekend three-in-three. The Reign host Iowa tonight, coming off of yesterday’s 8-4 victory over the San Jose Barracuda.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Reign enter tonight’s action against the Wild as winners of three of their last four games, with points in four of their last five. Ontario and Iowa have faced off twice thus far this season, with each team winning one meeting in Des Moines, with the Reign taking their game 6-5 on January 19. Forward Matt Moulson leads the Reign with four points (2-2-4) against the Wild this season, while goaltender Cal Petersen, an Iowa native, has been between the pipes for both meetings. Though the Reign did not participate in a full morning skate today, Head Coach Mike Stothers said yesterday that Peter Budaj is expected to get the nod this evening in net.

EIGHT CRAZY GOALS: The Ontario Reign scored a season-high eight goals in yesterday’s win over San Jose. The Reign had previously tallied seven goals on two occasions, most recently on December 22 in a 7-6 win over San Diego, and had conceded eight times on one occasion, October 26 against Tucson. Both previous games that the Reign scored seven goals were in games that extended past the originally scheduled 60 minutes.

A WILD STREAK ENDS: A wild winning streak was ended by, well the Wild, yesterday evening, as Iowa defeated Bakersfield by a 1-0 final to end the Condors’ 17-game winning streak. The run included three victories for Bakersfield over the Reign, most recently a 2-1 overtime win in late-February at Rabobank Arena. Iowa now concludes its California swing with games tonight and tomorrow in Ontario.

BUDAJ CALL: Ontario netminder Peter Budaj posted his team’s first shutout of the season as he stopped all 47 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory over Colorado on Saturday. The shutout was Budaj’s 10th as a member of the Reign, his 20th in the AHL overall and his 38th throughout his professional career. Over his last five games, Budaj has stopped 115 of 122 shots, good for a .943 save percentage.

SON OF A MITCH: Reign forward Zack Mitchell collected a pair of assists yesterday evening, as he extended his scoring streak to seven games, with nine points in total (4-5-9) during that run. The fourth-year forward has scored a goal in four of his last six games played and his two helpers yesterday tied a season-high. Mitchell has collected 18 points in total (8-10-18) this season from 44 games played.

NIFTY FIFTY: Ontario forward Matt Moulson became the first Reign skater this season to reach the 50-point mark, as he tied a season and career high with four points in yesterday’s win. Moulson tallied two goals and two assists, also tying a season-high for goals in a game, as he moved to a point-per-game pace on the season. Moulson is now approaching the Reign’s all-time single season scoring mark of 55 points, set by Sean Backman in the 2015-16 season.

MATT MANIA: Ontario added a pair of Matt’s this afternoon as forward Matt Luff was assigned by Los Angeles, and defenseman Matt Finn was signed to a PTO. Luff has amassed 21 points (8-13-21) from 18 AHL games played this season and re-joins the Reign after he skated in his 31st NHL game of the season on Thursday. Finn heads to Ontario as his 1134138 Los Angeles Kings

GAME 65: LOS ANGELES VS CHICAGO

JESSI MCDONALD

MARCH 2, 20190

SOG: LAK – 25; CHI – 32

PP: LAK – 2/2; CHI – 0/2

First Period

LAK PPG – Dustin Brown (15) (Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick); 2:23

LAK PPG – Sean Walker (2) (Adrian Kempe, Jeff Carter); 4:42

LAK – Ilya Kovalchuk (14) (Jeff Carter, Brendan Leipsic); 15:13

CHI – Brendan Perlini (6) (Slater Koekkoek, Dylan Strome); 18:46

Second Period

CHI – Brendan Perlini (7) (Corey Crawford); 2:06

CHI – Connor Murphy (3) (Chris Kunitz, John Hayden); 6:57

LAK – Adrian Kempe (10) (Jonny Brodzinski); 8:08

Third Period

LAK – Brendan Leipsic (6) (Ilya Kovalchuk); 4:54

LAK – Dustin Brown (16) (Anze Kopitar); 18:07

Los Angeles Kings (23-33-8) vs Chicago Blackhawks (27-28-9)

Saturday, March 2, 2019, 1:00 p.m. PT

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Referees: #15 Jean Hebert, #22 Ghislain Hebert

Linesmen: #66 Darren Gibbs, #94 Bryan Pancich

Fox Sports West, FOX Sports GO, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK starters: G Jonathan Quick, D Dion Phaneuf, D Matt Roy, LW Dustin Brown, C Anze Kopitar, RW Tyler Toffoli

LAK scratches: D Paul LaDue, D Alec Martinez

CHI starters: G Corey Crawford, D Duncan Keith, D Brent Seabrook, LW Alex DeBrincat, C Dylan Strome, RW Dominik Kahun

CHI scratches: D Carl Dahlstrom, F Drake Caggiula

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134139 Minnesota Wild deficit was Feb. 14. ... Oliver Kylington (lower body) missed his third game.

UP NEXT Dubnyk makes 35 saves, Wild beat Flames 4-2 Wild: Host Nashville on Sunday.

Flames: Host Toronto on Monday. Staff Writer Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 MARCH 3, 2019 — 1:55AM

CALGARY, Alberta — On an emotional night in which Calgary retired the jersey of Jarome Iginla, Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk played the role of spoiler. Dubnyk made 35 saves Saturday, and the Wild beat Calgary 4-2. "You know they're going to come with a pretty hard push at the beginning of the game," said Dubnyk, who stopped 27 of- 8 shots in the opening 40 minutes to keep the game tied at 1-1. "They're a good team and they play well here. I thought we did a good job weathering it." Matt Read put the Wild ahead to stay in the third period by deflecting a puck off the skate of Calgary's Mark Jankowski and past goaltender Mike Smith. Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Ryan Donato also scored for Minnesota, which won its fifth straight. Sean Monahan and Travis Hamonic scored for Calgary, which had its seven-game winning streak halted. The Flames raised Iginla's No. 12 to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony that lasted nearly an hour and delayed the start by 10 minutes. Iginla retired last summer after 20 NHL seasons, 16 with the Flames. Flames goaltender Mike Smith said the event was special. "I had goose bumps for most of that ceremony," Flames goaltender Mike Smith said. "I had the privilege to play against Jarome for a few years and it was a special night to be a part of." The Wild remain in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, one point behind of Dallas and one point ahead of Arizona. Calgary leads San Jose by five points atop the Pacific Division. Dubnyk was the story for Minnesota, which was outshot 37-23. Making his sixth straight start, Dubnyk was especially sharp in the opening 40 minutes, when he was peppered with 28 shots. He stopped all but one and improved to 26-21-5. Making his seventh start in nine games, Smith had 19 saves. He had his win streak stopped at five games and fell to 19-12-2. Suter's goal made it 3-1 at 11:07. After Hamonic cut the deficit to one at 14:29, Donato's long shot go past Smith at 18:18 and put the game out of reach. "The way (Dubnyk) was playing helped. I think it brought confidence to our team," said Staal. Donato (2-5-7) and Staal (2-5-6) extended their point streaks to five games. Down 1-0 after the first period, Calgary evened the score with the only goal of the second. Johnny Gaudreau found Monahan in front and he steered in the pass for his 30th goal. The 24-year-old Monahan reached 30 goals for the third time in six NHL seasons. Minnesota opened the scoring at 3:17, when Staal one-timed a pass from Jason Zucker. The Flames thought they had tied the score a couple minutes later when Sam Bennett cut hard to the net off the wing and had Austin Czarnik bang in his rebound. However, Bruce Boudreau challenged it for goaltender interference and upon review, the call was reversed. Bennett caught Dubnyk's pad with his skate and knocked the goaltender off balance. NOTES: Iginla, the longtime Calgary captain, is the franchise leader in games (1,219), goals (525), and points (1,095). A much sought after ticket in Calgary since the jersey retirement was announced, the red-clad patrons in a Saddledome witnessed an emotional tribute that included a stirring video narrated by Lanny McDonald, who along with Mike Vernon are the other two players with their numbers retired. ... Zach Parise (foot) didn't play for Minnesota. ... The Wild's opening goal ended a stretch of 430:41 in which Calgary had not trailed. The last time the Flames faced a 1134140 Minnesota Wild

Wild outduels Flames, faces quick turnaround

Sarah McLellan MARCH 3, 2019 — 1:13AM

CALGARY – The Flames had scored the most third-period goals in the NHL and had yet to lose in regulation after being tied after two. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau was aware of these credentials, which made Calgary look dangerous the longer the game progressed. But the Wild had a plan for combating these strengths: be responsible without the puck, attack aggressively and pressure Flames mobile goalie Mike Smith if he handled the puck. And that check list is exactly what the team used to score three times in the third period to pull away for a 4-2 victory over the Flames Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome that extended the team’s win streak to five games – tied for the longest run of the season. “He’s either really good or really bad,” Boudreau said of Smith. “We got a break from that, and then [Ryan] Donato’s shot was a tremendous shot.” Smith got caught behind the net when he went to retrieve a puck and once the puck squirted to the front of the net amid strong forecheck pressure from center Joel Eriksson Ek, winger Matt Read pinballed the puck into the empty net to put the Wild ahead 2-1. Goals by defenseman Ryan Suter and Donato followed, with the Flames also adding their own marker in between, but the period was headlined by the Wild – which improved to 11-4-2 when even after two. “We didn’t really have it tonight as far as we gave the puck away an awful lot,” Boudreau said. “But without the puck, I thought our structure was really good.” Read’s goal was his first with the Wild in six games this season and first in the NHL in almost a year; he last scored March 20, 2018, against Detroit while with Philadelphia. “He was really good,” Boudreau said. “He did everything I asked and more.” It’s possible Read is returned to the American Hockey League as soon as Sunday. Since he was an emergency recall with winger Zach Parise hobbled after blocking a shot with his foot Tuesday, Read will have to go back to Iowa once Parise is able to play. “You have no clue what’s going to happen,” Read said. “You get one opportunity. You gotta run with it, play the best you can and hopefully they can continue to use me. We’ll see what happens.” The Wild won its third coach’s challenge, and second against the Flames, when it successfully overturned a first-period Flames goal that rolled in amid goalie interference against Devan Dubnyk – who was bumped and turned by winger Sam Bennett as he crashed the net. “To me the goaltender interference was pretty obvious,” Boudreau said. Dubnyk was superb, making 35 saves to secure his fifth straight win. He has a .950 save percentage and 1.59 goals-against average during the Wild’s win streak but with the team finishing off a back-to-back in less than 24 hours at home against the Predators, Dubnyk may get Sunday off. “I don’t know,” Boudreau said. “That’s what we were talking about in there. We really want to get [backup] Alex [Stalock] into a game, but Dubnyk’s [on] such a roll. It’s pretty hard but at the same time, not too many goalies plays doubleheaders in the NHL these days.” Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134141 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Calgary game recap

Sarah McLellan MARCH 3, 2019 — 12:19AM

GAME RECAP STAR TRIBUNE’S 1. Ryan Suter, Wild: Scored the winner and assisted on the Wild’s fourth goal. 2. Matt Read, Wild: Scored his first goal with the Wild after being called up Friday. 3. Devan Dubnyk, Wild: The goalie made 35 saves. BY THE NUMBERS 2 Assists for Jordan Greenway. 3 Successful Wild coach’s challenges this season in eight tries. 5 Consecutive Wild wins for the first time since Oct. 16-27. Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134142 Minnesota Wild recorded more career goals (39), points (72) and game-winners (10) against the Wild than any other NHLer.

“He did everything hard,” Boudreau said. “There’s not too many guys that Ryan Donato off to a hot start since joining the Wild in Charlie Coyle could score, could skate, could fight, could lead like he did. He did it for a trade long time, and even at the end, he was still a pretty dangerous player. When you were playing against him, you had to worry about him. This is a great night for him, and it’s well-warranted.” Sarah McLellan Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 MARCH 3, 2019 — 2:09AM

CALGARY, Alberta – Winger Ryan Donato has been living out of hotel rooms since he joined the Wild, on the road with the team and when he’s in St. Paul, but the 22-year-old is planning to move into a more permanent setup soon. “I can cook meals for myself,” he said. “I think that’ll make a difference.” What doesn’t look like it needs to change, however, is how Donato is approaching the on-ice side of this new challenge with the Wild — a transition that’s appeared seamless ever since he was acquired from the Bruins Feb. 20 in exchange for forward Charlie Coyle. “It’s all about the hockey, and it always will be,” Donato said. “It’s a business for me. I put everything else aside and worry about hockey and focus on hockey. That’s when I play my best. I think that’s the best way I can help the team.” Donato scored in the third period of Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Calgary, giving him two goals and five assists in his first five games with the Wild. His five-game point streak is tied with teammate Zach Parise for the second-longest for a player starting his Wild career, one game behind the late Pavol Demitra. On Tuesday, Donato had two assists in the 3-2 victory at Winnipeg, the second of which came on Jason Zucker’s tying goal late in the third period. Donato has relied on his parents to prepare him for what it’s like to settle in with a new group after a trade, especially his dad, Ted Donato, who was traded three times during his NHL career, but the opportunities the Wild has given him to make an impact — on the power play and late in games — have also helped. “If I’m put in those situations, the more comfortable I’ll get in those situations,” Donato said. Although the Wild used two recent practices to familiarize new faces Donato and winger Kevin Fiala with the team’s structure, coach Bruce Boudreau hasn’t overwhelmed anyone with instruction — instead wanting players to utilize their natural skill sets. “We want them to use not only their versatility but their creativeness,” Boudreau explained. “So far he’s been very good at it.” Parise sidelined Despite practicing Friday and showing no limitations after blocking a Jacob Trouba shot with his foot in the win over the Jets on Tuesday, Parise didn’t suit up against the Flames on Saturday. “Probably a better chance” he draws in when the Wild returns home to face the Predators on Sunday, Boudreau said. The Wild already had winger Matt Read on hand, recalling him from the American Hockey League on Friday on an emergency basis in the event Parise couldn’t play, and Read slotted into the lineup. “He’s been in this position before and as a veteran,” Boudreau said. “I thought at this point of the year it’d probably be better for him to be up here than somebody else.” This is Read’s second stint with the Wild this season, as he also logged five games in October before returning to the minors where the former Bemidji State forward totaled 15 goals and 31 points in 50 games. “Just focused more on creating more speed and more offense down there,” Read said. “Get back to that complete game. I was playing strong defensively and take advantage when you can offensively. Just working on playing a lot faster.” Raised to the rafters Ahead of puck drop Saturday, the Flames retired former captain Jarome Iginla’s No. 12 during a pregame ceremony both teams took in from their benches. Iginla, who announced his retirement last summer, is the Flames’ franchise leader in a host of categories including games played (1,219), goals (525), points (1,095) and game-winning goals (83). He also has 1134143 Minnesota Wild The Wild received a five-minute power play in the second when winger Garnet Hathaway was hit with a match penalty after he slammed winger Luke Kunin’s head into the top of the boards in front of the Wild’s bench. Three-goal third period helps Wild beat Calgary and push winning streak Kunin left the game but returned later in the second. to five games While he was gone, the Wild couldn’t convert on the prolonged man Three goals in third put team on longest win streak of season. advantage – managing just two shots before a Kevin Fiala holding penalty negated the final 1:37. Sarah McLellan And just as that abbreviated power play expired, the Flames tied it at 1 when center Sean Monahan directed in a pass from winger Johnny MARCH 3, 2019 — 1:49AM Gaudreau at 9:08. Calgary finished 0-for-3; the Wild went 0-for-2. A make-or-break third could have looked dangerous for the Wild considering the Flames have scored the most goals in that period in the CALGARY, ALBERTA – Winger Matt Read may not be with the Wild for NHL and had yet to lose in regulation when tied after two, but the Wild long, since he was recalled from the minors under emergency conditions, went on the offensive instead of settling into a defensive shell and the but he’s making the most of the opportunity while he has it. aggressiveness paid off. Read scored his first goal with the Wild, sparking a three-goal, third- “We just stuck to our systems,” Donato said. “We all were creating period outburst that sealed a 4-2 win over the Flames Saturday in front of chances. There were a few things we tried to change, just get pucks 19,289 at Scotiabank Saddledome that signaled the Wild’s fifth straight behind their ‘D,’ possess the puck a little more. They’re a very offensive victory, which ties a season-high, and nixed Calgary’s seven-game tear. team so if we could limit that as much as we can, we’d have success.” With 70 points, the Wild sits in the second wild card spot in the Western Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 Conference – just a point shy of the Dallas Stars for the first seed. “It doesn’t matter who’s really in the lineup,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “As long as we play with commitment, structure and sacrifice, you find ways to win.” Penciled in because winger Zach Parise was unable to play after blocking a shot with his foot Tuesday in a win over the Winnipeg Jets, Read converted 4 minutes, 13 seconds into the third to break a 1-1 tie. After goalie Mike Smith got tied up behind the net, the puck bounced out in front where Read got a piece off it to nudge it off Calgary center Mark Jankowski’s skate and into the empty goal. The goal was Read’s first with the Wild in six games this season and first in the NHL in almost a year (March 20, 2018). “Obviously, that’s my goal coming up here – to help out as much as I can,” Read said. “If it’s being smart defensively, penalty killing, whatever it is. Just be out there and do the right things, help the team win at the end of the day is my goal and enjoy every second of it.” At 11:07, defenseman Ryan Suter wired a drop pass from winger Jordan Greenway by Smith to give the Wild an insurance marker that turned into the game-winner after defenseman Travis Hamonic pulled the Flames within a goal with 5:31 to go. Greenway ended up with two assists. Winger Ryan Donato responded with a five-hole goal at 18:18, his seventh point during a five-game point streak that ties Parise for the second-longest to start a Wild career. The Flames challenged Donato’s goal, but the play was deemed on-side. Goalie Devan Dubnyk posted 35 saves, while Smith had 19. “Guys are battling,” winger Jason Zucker said. On the heels of a pregame ceremony that retired former Flames captain Jarome Iginla’s No.12 by lifting it to the rafters, the Wild siphoned the energy out of a building that was previously pulsating with emotion by opening the scoring. Just 3:17 into the first period, center Eric Staal one-timed a feed from Zucker by Smith for his 19th tally of the season, a goal that extended Staal’s season-high point streak to five games – a span in which he’s accumulated seven points. Zucker’s assist also continued his season-best point streak to four games. It was also the first time the Flames had trailed in 430:41. “It was huge,” Zucker said. “We wanted to make sure we had a good start, especially against this team.” Later in the frame, winger Austin Czarnik buried a loose puck in front by Dubnyk but the Wild issued a coach’s challenge to determine if Dubnyk was interfered with on the play. And he was, as winger Sam Bennett bumped into Dubnyk as he carried the puck to the net to turn Dubnyk. It was the Wild’s third successful challenge this season in eight tries, with two of those wins against Calgary. “I was frustrated enough that we even had to challenge it,” Dubnyk said. “You could argue there were two separate cases of interference there. It’d be nice if we didn’t have to challenge it but at the end of the day, we got the right call.” 1134144 Minnesota Wild

Gameday preview: Nashville at Wild

Sarah McLellan MARCH 3, 2019 — 12:08AM

6:30 p.m. vs. Nashville NBCSN, 100.3-FM Granlund returns to X as a Predator Preview: This is the first meeting between the Wild and Predators since the two swapped forwards last Monday, with the Wild getting winger Kevin Fiala and the Predators adding winger Mikael Granlund. These two teams will also face off Tuesday in Nashville. The Predators won the only previous matchup, clipping the Wild 4-2 Oct. 15 in Nashville. Players to WATCH: Granlund had an assist and skated 18 minutes, 28 seconds in his Predators debut Friday. F Viktor Arvidsson has scored 10 goals in his past 19 games. G Pekka Rinne has allowed two or fewer goals in 24 of his 46 appearances. Numbers: Nashville is 10-10-1 vs. the Central Division. The Wild has one win in its past seven home games. G Alex Stalock is 0-4 with a .906 save percentage and 3.06 goals-against average in his career vs. the Predators. Injuries: Wild F Zach Parise (foot) is questionable; Fs Victor Rask (lower body) and Mikko Koivu (torn ACL and meniscus) and D (torn pectoral) are out. Predators Fs Miikka Salomaki (upper body), Zac Rinaldo (shoulder) and Craig Smith (lower body) and D Dan Hamhuis (lower body) are also out. Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134145 Minnesota Wild

Wild back in action vs. Flames without Zach Parise

Sarah McLellan MARCH 2, 2019 — 1:58PM

CALGARY – After a three-day break, the Wild is back in action Saturday in Calgary against the Flames but it won’t have winger Zach Parise on the ice. Parise is out after blocking a Jacob Trouba shot with his foot Tuesday in the 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. “Probably a better chance,” Parise suits up Sunday at home against the Predators, coach Bruce Boudreau said. Without Parise, the Wild will usher right winger Matt Read into the lineup – his first appearance since he played five games with the team in October. “He’s been through this before,” Boudreau said. “He’s been in this position before and as a veteran, I thought at this point of the year it’d probably be better for him to be up here than somebody else. Plus, every time we bring somebody else up it’s a left-handed guy and it means two guys play out of position. So Matt being right-handed, knowing what he has to do and being through this before, I thought was the best call.” Boudreau on #mnwild facing the #Flames: pic.twitter.com/cJSUYz7WgM — Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) March 2, 2019 Before these two teams square off their third and final meeting this season, the Flames will retire former captain Jarome Iginla’s No.12. “He did everything hard,” Boudreau said. “There’s not too many guys that could score, could skate, could fight, could lead like he did. He did it for a long time and even at the end, he was still a pretty dangerous player. When you were playing against him, you had to worry about him. This is a great night for him, and it’s well-warranted.” Projected lineup: Jason Zucker-Eric Staal-Jordan Greenway Kevin Fiala-Luke Kunin-Pontus Aberg Ryan Donato-Joel Eriksson Ek-Matt Read Marcus Foligno-Eric Fehr-J.T. Brown Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon -Greg Pateryn Nick Seeler-Brad Hunt Devan Dubnyk Key numbers: 2: Losses this season for the Wild vs. the Flames. .923: Save percentage for goalie Devan Dubnyk in his career against Calgary. 6-2-1: Record for the Wild in its last nine road games. 6: Points for winger Ryan Donato during a career-high four-game point streak. 9: Points for winger Luke Kunin in 12 games. About the Flames: Calgary sits atop the Pacific Division with 41 wins and 89 points and has won seven straight. During this seven-game run, the Flames have not trailed – going 427 minutes, 24 seconds without falling behind. The team is coming off a three-game sweep on the road and hasn’t given up more than a goal in its last four games. Calgary is 24-10-3 against the Western Conference this season. Five different players (captain Mark Giordano, winger Johnny Gaudreau, winger Matthew Tkachuk, center Sean Monahan and center Elias Lindholm) have at least 60 points. Star Tribune LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134146 Minnesota Wild Calgary dialed up the pressure in the second period, and the intensity picked up as well after Smith denied Zucker on a breakaway. Then it became nasty. Wild rock West-leading Flames, run winning streak to five Rookie Wild winger Luke Kunin threw his body around during a particularly physical shift, but wound up having his face slammed into the top of the boards in front of Minnesota’s bench by Garnet Hathaway. Brian Murphy Kunin went to the dressing room for observation but returned later in the March 3, 2019 at 2:05 am period. Hathaway also went to the dressing room after receiving a five- minute major and match penalty for intent to injure.

Yet the Wild could not take advantage and exact revenge. They only CALGARY, Alberta — It was only two weeks ago when the Wild were managed two long-distance shots, and with 1:37 left in the power play bemoaning their inability to finish, their lack of puck luck and the crushing Kevin Fiala was banished for holding, negating that man advantage. malaise that threatened to bury them in the standings. And the Flames made them pay. Sean Monahan was set up at the top of Their uninspired play, particularly at home, made them unworthy of the crease by Johnny Gaudreau for a backdoor putback that tied the catching a break. Flash forward and Minnesota is now swimming in puck game 1-1. luck. Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.03.2019 A costly third-period misplay by Flames goaltender Mike Smith, a successful first-period challenge of a Calgary goal and the Flames’ lost challenge in the final two minutes all went the Wild’s way Saturday night in their 4-2 victory at Scotiabank Saddledome. It was a game thoroughly dominated by Calgary, which was riding a seven-game winning streak during which they had played four straight games without giving up more than one goal. But the Wild are hot again, too, as they extended their winning streak to five games — matching a season high from Oct. 16-27. And it was delivered against the Western Conference’s top team by an unlikely hero. With Zach Parise sidelined nursing a foot injury, journeyman winger Matt Read stepped into the breach and collected the winning goal 4:13 into the third period. Smith misplayed the puck behind his net with Joel Eriksson Ek battling. The puck squirted loose, Read pounced and swept it into an empty net for his first regular-season goal since March 20, 2018, when he was with the Flyers. “I got my stick on it,” Read said. “I couldn’t even tell you what happened after that. But I’ll take it.” Ryan Suter scored the eventual game winner with 8:53 remaining. Travis Harmonic pulled the Flames within 3-2 with 5:31 remaining. But rookie Ryan Donato continued his stellar play since being acquired from the Boston Bruins for Charlie Coyle Feb. 20 with a bleeder that eluded Smith with 1:42 remaining. It was Donato’s second goal and seventh point since the trade. “This whole experience, I keep on saying, has been a blessing,” he said. “I can’t complain. Just hopefully we can continue that to the playoffs.” The Wild caught another break when Calgary coach Bill Peters challenged that the rush was offsides. But the linesmen upheld the goal following a video review. The win allowed the Wild to hold onto the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of surging Arizona. “We’ve dealt with a lot of adversity with our group along with some of the moves they made at the deadline,” said Staal. “But as a group, we’re coming together. Winning helps.” It was a special night in Calgary, but Minnesota wrecked the Jarome Iginla number-retirement coronation. Chants of “Iggy! Iggy!” were still echoing when the Wild pierced the good vibes by bagging the game’s first goal. Nifty work by Jordan Greenway (two assists) and Jason Zucker behind the net. Zucker found Eric Staal lurking in the slot and set him up for a one-timer at 3:17. The goal snapped a 430-minute, 41-second run in which the Flames either played with the lead or were tied. And it was pretty much all Minnesota could muster during a five-shot second period. The Flames dictated the pace and controlled the puck for large chunks of time in the Wild zone. They thought they had the equalizer at 8:40. Calgary crashed the net with three players, and center Sam Bennett found himself in the crease to sweep in a puck Devan Dubnyk failed to freeze. However, the Wild challenged the goal, and the referees determined Bennett skated into Dubnyk’s right pad and turned him — hindering his ability to make a save. 1134147 Minnesota Wild Ryan Donato expects to move out of the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown St. Paul and into more permanent housing as he tries to get settled in his new home after being traded Feb. 20 from the Boston Wild’s Zach Parise still ailing, sits out game in Calgary Bruins for Charlie Coyle. He had one goal and five points in his first four games with the Wild, so things are falling into place on the ice. But his car remains in Boston. Brian Murphy He’s driving a rental. And tired of eating hotel food. March 2, 2019 at 8:35 PM “It makes me feel more comfortable if I can cook some meals for myself,” said Donato. “That’ll make a huge difference.

“I just want to make sure I worry about the hockey as much as I can and CALGARY, Alberta — He practiced but could not play. not worry about anything else on the outside so much. It’s all about the hockey and always will be. It’s a business. I think that’s the best way to Wild left wing Zach Parise was sidelined for Saturday night’s game help the team.” against the Flames, giving veteran right-winger Matt Read a shot at another shot. Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.03.2019 “Probably a better chance there,” coach Bruce Boudreau said of Parise playing Sunday against Nashville at Xcel Energy Center. Parise was injured blocking a Jacob Trouba shot with his right foot in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over the Jets in Winnipeg. He practiced Friday before the Wild traveled to Calgary, but the team decided to keep him off the ice at least one more day as a further precaution. Shot blocking is universal in the modern NHL. It is not the sole duty of defensemen or checking forwards. But it begs the question whether Boudreau shields his eyes whenever he sees a star player like Parise doing his due diligence. “Yeah, I do,” he said. “It’d be interesting because I know in Anaheim we made everyone wear the shot blockers, and we didn’t have any trouble with anything there. But it’s the player’s option.” Boudreau was referring to protective accessories that surround the tongue-and-laces portion of skates. Meanwhile, Read returned to the Wild for the first time since playing five games in October. He has 15 goals among 31 points in 50 games with AHL Iowa. The journeyman has 87 goals and 187 points in 442 NHL games over eight seasons with Philadelphia and Minnesota. Because the Wild are heavy with left-handed forwards, Boudreau said he wanted to bring up Read because of his right-handed shot and experience. “I thought at this point of the year it’d probably be better for him to be up here than somebody else,” Boudreau said. “Plus, every time we bring somebody else up it’s a left-handed guy and it means two guys play out of position. So Matt being right-handed, knowing what he has to do and being through this before I thought was the best call.” Read, 32, who was called up for just such an emergency, was thrilled to get another look during the playoff drive. “I’m excited. I’ve been waiting for another opportunity to get back up here,” he said. “This is the most fun time of the year. Obviously it’s crunch time. Every shift matters out there. Now you’ve got to go out there and earn your ice time, have fun with it and do what you need to do to help the team win.” IGGY’S NIGHT Jarome Iginla was known as the Wild killer for his propensity for tormenting Minnesota when the teams were in the old Northwest Division. In 84 games, he scored 39 goals among 72 points. Only Nashville yielded more goals to the man they called “Iggy.” The future hall of famer with more than 1,200 career points tormented them again in a different way Saturday. A pregame ceremony to retire Iginla’s No. 12 Flames jersey pushed the faceoff back to 9:15 p.m. Central time. The Wild’s flight home was scheduled to land in the Twin Cities about 4:30 a.m. Sunday — just 14 hours before Sunday’s scheduled game against the Predators. But the Wild graciously watched the festivities from the visiting bench at Scotiabank Saddledome before their warm-ups as Calgarians paid tribute to Iginla’s 16-year career with the Flames. “He’s one of the dying breed as guys who could play hard, physical, fight and score 50 goals,” said Wild center Eric Fehr. “You don’t see that very often. He was a player I grew up watching and idolizing. He’s one of the best.” DONATO SETTLING IN 1134148 Minnesota Wild percentage, but starting Dubnyk on Sunday night does seem like a stretch with so many games coming up.

“It’s a tough situation for everybody,” Dubnyk said. “It’s just one of those Wild win the last round against Jarome Iginla to kick off a crazy back-to- things. We’re going to be tired, but maybe it’ll just feel like a continuation back of this game.” Dubnyk chuckled at the last line. Michael Russo It was certainly a jubilant locker room. Even Boudreau looked at a writer as he walked into the locker room and CALGARY — Maybe this was Jarome Iginla’s final way of sticking it to said, “I don’t know, you’ve got to figure it out.” one of his favorite opponents. The connotation was how the heck are the Wild winning with Mikko It was fitting that “Jarome Iginla Night” came Saturday night before the Koivu, Matt Dumba, Victor Rask and now Parise hurt and Nino Calgary Flames faced off against the Wild. After all, it was often an Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Mikael Granlund gone? unofficial “Jarome Iginla Night” when the former Flames captain and The answer, at least on this night? future Hall of Famer played the Wild. The terrific play of youngsters Donato, Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and No player in history has amassed more goals and points against the Luke Kunin, who came back to the game from what Boudreau called a team from Minnesota. “vicious hit” from Garnet Hathaway. The Flames player, who drove And in a classy and touching pregame ceremony with Flames players Kunin’s face into the top of the Wild bench like it was a turnbuckle and he sitting on their bench wearing IGINLA jerseys and Wild players sitting on was a WWE wrestler, received a match penalty for “intent to injure.” That their bench taking it all in, Iginla’s No. 12 rose to the Saddledome rafters. is accompanied by an automatic suspension pending review. It’s unknown as of now if the league will actually suspend him or rescind it. The byproduct of the Wild being the invited guest, however, for this special evening was a 9:19 p.m. CT puck drop and 11:57 p.m. CT final Hathaway ejected for Intent to Injure, pushed Kunin's face into the buzzer. dasher dodging his hit. Kunin to the locker room This wouldn’t be such a big deal if the Wild didn’t have to then hustle to Other reasons the Wild won the game? the airport, clear customs, take a 3-hour, 12-minute flight home with a Read’s impressive effort after spending the past four months in Iowa. 4:24 a.m. expected arrival because the league, in its infinite wisdom, Dubnyk’s solid goaltending. And Smith’s poor goaltending. scheduled the Wild for a 6:30 p.m. nationally-televised home game against a rested, waiting, division rival in the Nashville Predators. The old joke anytime the Wild faced the Flames was the Wild were already down 1-zip because Iginla had yet to get his eventual goal. Having 21 hours between two opening faceoffs, 18 1/2 hours between one game’s end and another game’s start and 14 hours between landing On this night, the Flames needed Iginla to suit up. and the next game is not your typical back-to-back. It’s why Boudreau has been saying for weeks it was critical the Wild at least snatch two Zucker won a puck battle to set up Staal for an early lead. The Wild were points in the front end of this absurd scenario. not very good in the period, though, and Dubnyk had to make a number of big saves. One Calgary goal was also overturned for goalie So, after the Wild ended the Flames’ seven-game winning streak interference. Saturday night with a 4-2 victory, after the Wild somehow scored three goals in the final 20 minutes to beat the best third-period team in the NHL In the second, after Kunin took the hit into the Wild bench, the Wild were — one that was 11-0-4 when tied after two periods and had only lost five given a major power play. times in regulation all season at home — Boudreau couldn’t help but take It was a convoluted mess, momentum turned, Fiala negated the final a sarcastic jab at the NHL’s schedule maker. 1:37 with a penalty and Johnny Gaudreau set up Sean Monahan as the “(The two points are) really important because we’re playing two games power play expired for the tying goal, officially ruled at even strength. in one day, so it’s tough to get up for the second one,” Boudreau said. But in the third, Eriksson Ek forechecked Smith behind the net on a Playing without Zach Parise, who didn’t make the trip to Alberta after dump-in. For some reason, Smith decided to stay back there and play blocking a shot Tuesday in Winnipeg, the Wild still managed to win a fifth offensive lineman as he shielded Eriksson Ek from the puck and almost consecutive game for the first time since October. seemed to battle his own defenseman, Noah Hanifin, for the puck. Matt Read, called up on emergency conditions to play for Parise, scored The puck squirted to the front and Read scored his first NHL goal since a big goal off a Mike Smith gaffe behind his net. Ryan Donato picked up last March by pinballing it in off a Flames player. his second goal with the Wild and extended his point streak (and win “Ekker did a good job forechecking,” Read said. “I saw a loose puck streak) since coming to Minnesota to five games. Jordan Greenway, who there. They whacked at it, and I got my stick on it, and I couldn’t even tell had two assists, set up Ryan Suter’s game-winner on a 3-on-2. Eric Staal you what happened from there. Just saw it go in the net, and we’ll take extended his point streak to five games by burying a pass from Jason it.” Zucker, who extended his point streak to four games. Suter and Jared Spurgeon were each plus-3. And Devan Dubnyk made 35 saves for a Added Boudreau, “One part of our gameplan was to go right at Smith if fifth straight win. he had the puck. He’s usually really good or really bad, and we got a break for that.” Over this triumphant stretch, Dubnyk has a 1.59 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. The Wild are 7-2-1 in their past 10 road The Flames pushed, but Greenway forced a turnover, took off for an odd- games, and Dubnyk is a league-best 11-3-1 on the road since Dec. 29 man rush and instead of passing through traffic to the far side for Pontus with a 2.25 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. Aberg, he dropped the puck for Suter, who let it rip for the eventual winner. According to the NHL, Dubnyk is one of four goalies in NHL history to earn 25-plus wins in his first five seasons with a single team (Tony Travis Hamonic made it 3-2 with 5:31 left, but with 1:42 to play, Donato Esposito, Chicago; Roberto Luongo, Vancouver; Henrik Lundqvist, New fired a puck from atop the circles that somehow got through Smith. York Rangers). “I’m just trying to keep up the energy, keep shooting the pucks and He is playing so well, Boudreau would love to even start him against the trying to get pucks on net,” Donato said. “I think that was a little bit of a Predators on Sunday night. lucky shot, maybe a little bit of a tough goal. I was lucky that one went in.” “We really want to get Alex (Stalock) into a game, but Duby’s on such a roll, it’s pretty hard,” Boudreau said. “But at the same time not too many It was a quality win against another quality opponent for the Wild, who goalies play doubleheaders in the NHL these days.” are doing this despite a pretty mishmash lineup. Yes, more sarcasm. For instance, Aberg continues to struggle. Fiala did not have a very good game in his second with the Wild and in advance of the home-and-home As you can tell, Boudreau and the rest of the Wild brass are not pleased he and Granlund are about to play against their old teams. by this ridiculous schedule. So how do the Wild keep manufacturing wins? Points are necessary right now with the Wild barely clinging to a playoff spot. Stalock is 6-6-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .890 save “They’re playing with some pretty good structure,” Boudreau said of his “Pretty cool night to come home. Pretty nostalgic,” Dumba told The gents. “We didn’t really have it tonight. We gave the puck away an awful Athletic in the press box. lot, but without the puck, I thought our structure was really good. It doesn’t matter who’s really in the lineup if we play with commitment, Bemidji State reunion structure and sacrifice. You find ways to win. Lately against two really Saturday was a thrill for the Wild’s Brad Hunt and Read. good opponents, we’ve found that. The two undrafted NHLers were teammates for three years at Bemidji “Now we’ve got to go to a third really good opponent.” State from 2008-11. They lived with each other for one summer and have It’ll be interesting to see if Read plays. remained friends ever since. Remember, he’s up with the Wild on emergency conditions for Parise. “Being in the same NHL locker room, I thought that would never happen,” Hunt said. “Reader’s a great dude. Love him. When you go to college Once Parise can play, Read technically has to go back to Iowa. The Wild with somebody, you kind of create like a brotherhood almost. I bet are hoping Parise can play Sunday. (Beavers coach) Tom Serratore’s loving this.” “My goal coming up here is to help out as much as I can, whether it’s Hunt said when Read first made it to the NHL and scored 57 goals his being smart defensively or penalty killing or whatever it is,” Read said. first three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, including two 20-goal “Just do the right things. At the end of the day, this is my goal to enjoy seasons, “I was just watching, saying, ‘Holy moly, this is really cool every second of it. watching a guy I pretty much grew up with from 19 to 23 years old light it up. It was special and gave me motivation to try to make it to the NHL, “You have no clue what’s going to happen. You get one opportunity. too.” You’ve gotta run with it, play the best you can and hopefully they can continue to use me. We’ll see what happens.” Read said he had dinner with Hunt last season when the Flyers visited the Vegas Golden Knights, the team the Wild acquired him from in Iggy’s grand evening January. Iginla is the all-time leading goal scorer (39) and point-getter (72) against “One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met,” Read said. the Wild. He also ranks first with 10 game-winning goals, second with 12 power-play goals and third with 33 assists. Saturday’s game was only Read’s sixth with the Wild since signing as a free agent and first since Oct. 29. “Once you get on a roll against a team, it kind of builds on itself,” Iginla told The Athletic. “You hear the stat, ‘This guy scores more against this “I signed here hoping to get a great opportunity and stay up here for the team than any other,’ and you start to believe it. It wasn’t any single whole season,” Read said. “But things happen. It’s out of your hands. I’m thing. It wasn’t as if there was a match-up that I thought I could exploit or excited to be back up here and get another shot and make the most of a goalie that I liked to play against. It wasn’t anything like that. It was the opportunity and have fun with it.” more just a self-fulfilling prophecy sort of thing. Etc. “You might hear people say, ‘Oh, he has a hard time scoring against this team’ and for whatever reason, it continues — and vice versa. The With Parise injured, Spurgeon wore a third “A” along with Suter and opposite is true. For whatever reason, I got off to a good start against Staal, who has been wearing an “A” since Koivu was lost for the season them as an expansion team and then they would always keep talking with a torn ACL. Spurgeon made his NHL debut in Calgary on his 21st about — like in the newspapers and on the broadcasts. So, you hear that birthday — Nov. 29, 2010. … and you start to feel it: ‘Hey, I like playing Minnesota.’ It was more that Boudreau on Parise’s injury from blocking a shot in Winnipeg: “In than anything, if you know what I mean. Anaheim, we made everyone wear the shot blockers and we didn’t have “It wasn’t like it was a streak against one goalie because it happened any trouble with anything there. But it’s the player’s option (here).” against a lot of different goalies over the years. I just had some good The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 nights — and I had some good bounces. I remember once, there was a slap shot from the point by Adrian Aucoin — he ripped it but it was going six feet wide of the net. I was off to the side of the net and just whacked it out of midair and it ends up going in. It just doesn’t happen. It’s like a one-in-a-thousand chance — but it’s like hey, we’re playing Minnesota, so it goes in. It was more just that kind of thing.” Jarome Iginla “You hear that and you start to feel it: ‘Hey, I like playing Minnesota,’” Jarome Iginla said. “It was more that than anything, if you know what I mean.” (Candice Ward / USA Today) From 2000-07, Wes Walz, now a Wild television analyst and an ambassador for the team, often got the unenviable task of going head-to- head against Iginla’s line. “I feel like I should be in Calgary at center-ice holding one of those ropes helping get that jersey to the top of the rafters,” Walz joked to The Athletic on Saturday morning. “(Linemate Antti Laaksonen) can take one side, I’ll take the other. We saw a lot of pucks go in the net when we were on the ice. “There were certain guys that I played against over the years that I knew that if our line played really, really good early in the game, some of the really good players around the league would go away and you wouldn’t see them the rest of the game. But with Jarome Iginla, it didn’t matter. He never stopped playing.” Andrew Brunette, now the Wild’s director of player personnel, said playing Iginla during his two stints as a Wild player was a “nightmare.” “Every time you played him, he scored. Then, while you’re looking at the scoreboard, he scored again,” Brunette said, laughing. “He was unique in that he was a power forward but he could beat you in many different ways. He could beat you off the rush, he could beat you on a one-timer, he could find soft spots, he could get to the net. He had so many different weapons in his arsenal. He was hard to contain. “And he was intense. He was honest, but he played with a lot of fire.” The injured Dumba accompanied the Wild to his hometown of Calgary for the game. He was a huge Iginla fan growing up. 1134149 Minnesota Wild A healthy Dumba is certainly not enough by itself to prevent all of that from happening, but how much different of a position could the Wild have been in had they not lost one of their most dynamic players in the midst ‘I think about it every day’: Wild face Flames for first time since Dumba of a breakout season? injury Boudreau’s “what if?” will have to stay that way. “Obviously it was a big hit to our D-corps when Dumba went down,” Jessi Pierce defenseman Nick Seeler said. “He’s one of our best defensemen. He’s a huge factor in every game. He’s physical, he has a great shot, he’s great Mar 2, 2019 on the power play, and obviously we’ve missed him big time since he’s been gone. But as a group, I think we can’t dwell on the fact who we’re missing and whose injured. I think we need to focus on the group we have and who’s playing. Focus on that.” It’s been 77 days since the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames met at Xcel Energy Center in a game that cut defenseman Matt Dumba’s With the Wild returning to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday for promising season 50 games short, with no immediate return for this the first rematch since the injury, what can we expect? season evident. “It’s tough. It’d be one thing if Dumbs got hurt in a vicious way where it Each one of those days has haunted coach Bruce Boudreau. was dirty or something like that,” forward and resident tough guy Marcus Foligno said, “but it’s a fight altercation. He pulls something like that, for “I only think about it every day,” Boudreau admits. “Everything would that reason, it’s tough to kind of to say it needs to be repaid. You’re still have been different, I think. It’s amazing how the world works.” sour about it, but getting back at anyone isn’t going to help anyone.” Just 39 seconds into that Dec. 15 game, Dumba threw a hard right hook The remade Wild are winning again, and their newfound success is about that missed connecting with Flames forward Matt Tkachuk in a fight that to be tested. In the next two weeks, they play the top team in each was apparent retribution for a hit Dumba laid in their previous meeting conference (Calgary and Tampa Bay) on the road, have a home-and- nine days earlier. The whiffed punch resulted in the torn pectoral muscle home against the second-place team in the Central Division (Nashville), that may have ended what was shaping up to be a career year for the 24- a home date with the second-place team in the Pacific (San Jose) and a year-old. His 12 goals were tops in the NHL for defensemen at the time meeting with a Dallas team that’s currently one point ahead of the Wild in of his injury, and it still ranks in the top 10 and is tied for a team-high the jam-packed wild-card standings. among Wild blueliners with Jared Spurgeon. So, no matter how miserable the thought of “what if,” Boudreau It also was the first in a long string of events that have changed the concedes, Saturday’s contest is all about getting points, not getting even. course of the Wild’s season. “No. No. We need to win,” he said. “It’s all about playing the game the The Wild entered that game at 17-12-2, just on the fringe of playoff right way.” contention. They had already begun to sag a bit from the 14-7-2 start that gave them the second-most points in the Western Conference at the “I think the biggest thing is to win the game,” Foligno added. “(Calgary) time, but they had won two straight on home ice, with two more on deck beat us twice this year, so I think that’s most of the sour taste in our in St. Paul. With Dumba’s menacing shot, the Wild’s power play was the mouth.” seventh-best in the NHL before his injury, humming along at 25.3 percent (25 for 99). Six of those 25 goals were Dumba’s, a total still tied for The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 second in the league among defensemen. And then, the fight. Beginning with that 2-1 loss to the Flames, Minnesota lost five straight (0- 4-1) and continued trending downward. They went 9-9-1 from the day of Dumba’s injury until the All-Star break and bye week, then went 1-6-3 in their first 10 games of February. Without Dumba to anchor it, their power play has been a pedestrian 17.6 percent (16 for 91) — good for 18th in the league. Overall, the Wild are scoring nearly an entire goal less per game since the injury, 3.23 to 2.27. In total, Minnesota — once again fighting tooth and limb to secure a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference wild-card race — is just 14- 15-4 since losing Dumba, even with their current four-game winning streak. And it was during this stretch that general manager Paul Fenton decided to change things up. On Jan. 17, Nino Niederreiter was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes for Victor Rask after the Wild had lost nine times in 15 games following the Dumba injury. Fenton cited the up-and-down play of the team as an ongoing factor in his decision-making. “I’m looking at our team and how we play,” Fenton said then. “One day I’m thinking that we have the opportunity to go forward and one day I’m thinking that, you know, it’s not that great of a team. So I’m letting the players convince us where they are.” Four days later, the Wild, in search of a veteran to take Dumba’s spot, acquired defenseman Brad Hunt from the Vegas Golden Knights. Four days after that, they claimed another defenseman, Anthony Bitetto, off waivers from the Predators. Another blow landed in early February when center Mikko Koivu was lost for the season to an ACL injury in the middle of their rough post-bye stretch. With the team barely hanging on in the top-eight and two major injuries casting doubt on their chances, The Athletic’s Michael Russo reported Fenton had the green light to make more trades, even if it meant missing the playoffs. Six days later, on Feb. 20, Charlie Coyle was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ryan Donato and a conditional 2019 fifth-round draft pick. And on Monday, Mikael Granlund was traded to Nashville for Kevin Fiala in a deadline-beating deal. 1134150 Montreal Canadiens

Crosby, Guentzel have four points apiece to power Penguins past Canadiens 5-1

KELSEY PATTERSON MARCH 2, 2019

Sidney Crosby and each had four-point performances as the Pittsburgh Penguins earned a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night as both teams continue to battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Guentzel scored two goals and had two assists while Crosby scored and added three assists for the Penguins (34-22-9). Evgeni Malkin and Jared McCann, into the empty net, also scored for Pittsburgh while goalie Matt Murray stopped 36-of-37 shots. Both the Penguins and Canadiens now have 77 points in the standings. Pittsburgh is in the first wild-card spot while Montreal dropped down into the second. Brendan Gallagher scored the only goal for the Canadiens (35-24-7). Carey Price gave up four goals on 24 shots. He is still one victory away from tying ’s franchise record with 314. It was the second of back-to-back games for both teams. Pittsburgh lost 4-3 in overtime in Buffalo on Friday while Montreal defeated the New York Rangers 4-2. The Canadiens were hardly outclassed on Saturday night, outshooting the Pens 37-25, but the score line certainly didn’t reflect that. Pittsburgh jumped to an early 3-0 lead on its first four shots of the game. They needed just 21 seconds to beat Price after a bad giveaway by Jordie Benn in his own zone led to Crosby’s deflected goal. The visitors doubled their lead on the power play when Malkin’s slapshot changed course on a deflection at 4:38. Pittsburgh finished 1 for 3 with the man advantage. Guentzel went five-hole on Price at 8:51 right after a face-off win by Crosby for his first goal of the night and 30th of the season — his first time reaching the 30-goal plateau. The Pens went the next 11:09 of the first period without firing a shot on net but still led 3-0 at intermission. Guentzel netted his second of the game 6:24 into the second period with a precise wrist shot into the top corner of the net. Pittsburgh’s leading scorer nearly completed his hat trick late while on a breakaway in the second but Price made a nice glove save. The Canadiens scored their only goal when Gallagher beat Murray for his team-leading 29th of the season with a shot from inside the left face-off circle. Gallagher’s career high is 31 goals, set last year. McCann added the empty-netter with 1:24 left in the game. Crosby had a hand in four of his team’s goals. The Pens captain now has 10 points on his current four-game scoring streak. Crosby also moved into second place on Pittsburgh’s all-time scoring list with his 440th career tally. Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134151 Montreal Canadiens

In the Habs' Room: 'You can't feel sorry for yourself,' Gallagher says Unfortunately for the Canadiens, most of Carey Price's heroics came after the Pittsburgh Penguins scored three goals on their first four shots.

PAT HICKEY March 2, 2019

Chansts of “Ca-rey, Ca-rey” rang through the Bell Centre Saturday night as Carey Price stopped breakaways and twisted his body in ways that wouldn’t have seemed out of place in the Cirque du Soleil. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, most of the heroics came after the Pittsburgh Penguins scored three goals on their first four shots en route to a 5-1 win over the Canadiens. The Canadiens have shown an ability to come back this season, but they found themselves in too deep a hole and, while Matt Murray wasn’t as spectacular as Price, he turned in a solid performance as he limited Montreal to one goal on 37 shots. He stopped Max Domi and on breakaways but Montreal made it easy for him. The Montreal power play once again came up empty, going 0-for-3. Montreal had 20 shots that were off target and 20 more were blocked. The power play has scored one goal in 24 opportunities over the past 10 games. “We were playing a good team,” said Brendan Gallagher, who provided one of the few bright spots for the Canadiens with his 29th goal of the season. “We pushed back. We had some breakaways and we hit a post but they tightened up and it was a big win for them and a bad loss for us. “But you move on,” added Gallagher. “You can’t feel sorry for yourself. We didn’t get the result but we go to Los Angeles and try to change that.” This game had a direct result on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh pulled even with Montreal on points with 77 but the Penguins get the first wild-card spot because they have played one fewer game. The Canadiens, meanwhile, have to be worried about Columbus. The Blue Jackets lost Saturday but they are only two points back and have two games in hand. “If we were able to get one more goal, it might have made a difference but when they went ahead 4-0, that made it difficult,” said Gallagher. “If we could have scored two, we might have had a chance.” Gallagher said the high skill level of the Penguins made them dangerous. “You look at who scored the goals tonight — (Sidney) Crosby, (Evgeni) Malkin and (Jake) Guentzel. They’re pretty good goal scorers and when the puck’s on their sticks and you give them the opportunity, it’s pretty hard to stop them.” The Canadiens rebounded from a slow start Friday night to beat the Rangers in New York, but coach Claude Julien said this loss wasn’t similar. “I don’t know if it was that slow If you take away the goals,” said Julien. “We made mistakes early on. On the first shift, we gave up a goal and then they scored off a faceoff. We thought we had energy in the first period. We had lots of chances in the second and we should have scored another goal or two.” A giveaway by Jordie Benn allowed Crosby to score on the first shift and Price might have been a little sharper on the next two goals. The Canadiens outshot the Penguins 15-5 in the third period when Pittsburgh went into full defensive mode. “(The Penguins) played a smart third period,” said Julien. “They were throwing pucks out so we didn’t spend too much time in their end.” Phillip Danault, who set up Gallagher for the lone Montreal goal, put a shot off a post in the third period. “That pretty well summed up the whole game,” said Danault. “We didn’t get the bounces tonight.” LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134152 Montreal Canadiens

About last night ... Penguins cruise to 5-1 win

MIKE BOONE March 2, 2019

They looked great against Detroit. They looked great against the Rangers. Then the Canadiens played a good team. And they didn’t look great – from the net out. With a chance to tie Jacques Plante on the Canadiens’ all-time win list, Carey Price spent the first 10 minutes of the game playing like André Racicot. And you just don’t want to channel Red Light against Sidney Crosby. In beating the Wings and Rangers, the Canadiens didn’t face anyone as good as Pittsburgh’s #87. Crosby scored Pittsburgh’s first goal and set up the next two as the Penguins beat Price on three of their first four shots. The goaltender chasing Jacques Plante did not look great on Geno Malkin’s 50-foot snapshot. But Price had no chance on either Crosby’s opening goal, off a brutal Jordie Benn turnover, or Jake Guentzel’s conversion of a perfect Crosby feed At least the ignominy of a home-ice shutout was avoided by Brendan Gallagher’s 29th of a splendid season. And the Canadiens had an eye-popping 77 shot attempts, to 43 for the team that won. But Matt Murray outplayed Price. And the Pittsburgh goaltender stymied any hope of a home-team comeback – a prospect that faded after two futile Canadiens’ power plays in the first period. The early dumpster fire notwithstanding, the Canadiens did not play a terrible game. Max Domi and his linemates hustled and created chances. had a mind-blowing 13 shots, four of which Murray had to stop. Phillip Danault went 13-9 on face-offs. But no fewer than 14 Canadiens skaters were on the ice for goals- against at even strength. Jonathan Drouin and Mete were each minus-2. And after a lovely warm spring-is-around-the-corner day in Montreal, the Canadiens hit the ice and took their own crowd out of the game. It was a measuring-stick contest for a team that still holds down a Wildcard spot – and still might on Sunday night, if Winnipeg beats stumbling Columbus, which was shut out on home ice by Edmonton Saturday afternoon. But the Canadiens did not measure up against Pittsburgh. And they are taking their tenuous playoff position across the continent to California. That will be a challenge, as will six other road games down the stretch. Garry Galley thinks the Canadiens deserve to make the playoffs. “They’ve had a real good season,” the TSN colour man added. Indeed they have … up till now. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134153 Montreal Canadiens

Habs game report: Penguins suck air out of Bell Centre with three goals on four shots, win 5-1

PAT HICKEY March 2, 2019

Carey Price was in a position to make history Saturday, but Sidney Crosby and friends had a different idea. Crosby had a four-point night with a goal and three assists and Jake Guentzel scored twice to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-1 win at the Bell Centre. The win allowed the Penguins to claim the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh and Montreal have 77 points each but the Canadiens dropped into the second wild-card spot because they have played one more game. The only good news for the Canadiens came earlier in the day when Edmonton shut out Columbus 4-0. The Blue Jackets are just outside the playoffs with 75 points but they have two games in hand on Montreal. Both teams went with their No. 1 goaltenders after they played Friday night. Price, who was coming off a road win over the New York Rangers, was looking for win No. 314, which would have tied him with the late Jacques Plante for the most wins in team history. Matt Murray was on the losing end of a 4-3 overtime decision in Buffalo Friday but he bounced back with a 36-save performance. Sidney Crosby reached a milestone when he opened the scoring 21 seconds into the first period. It was Crosby’s 440th goal with the Penguins and he moved ahead of Jaromir Jagr on Pittsburgh’s all-time goals list. He has a long way to go before catching all-time leader Mario Lemieux, who scored 690. The Penguins took advantage of a mistake by Jordie Benn, who lost the puck to Jared McCann as he tried to clear the Montreal zone. Crosby worked a give-and-go with Jake Guentzel and got a break when his shot hit a post and bounced in off Price’s skate. Crosby had a hand in Pittsburgh’s second goal, setting up Evgeni Malkin at the point on a power play. The result was Malkin’s 21st goal of the season. Guentzel made it 3-0 at 10:32 after Crosby won a faceoff against Nate Thompson in the Montreal zone. This was one Price should have stopped but the shot went in through his pads to give the Penguins three goals on their first four shots. The Canadiens outshot the Penguins 12-4 in the first period and their best chance was on a Max Domi breakaway, which was stopped by Murray. Price kept the game from getting completely out of hand by forcing Malkin to shoot high on a breakaway. Guentzel scored his 31st goal in the second period for a 4-0 lead while Brendan Gallagher ended Murray’s shutout bid with his 29th at 7:30 of the second period. It was a typical Gallagher goal as he battled for position in front of the net and converted a pass from Phillip Danault. Claude Julien pulled Price with more than four minutes to go and McCann added an empty-net goal. The Canadiens will spend the coming week in California with a game in Los Angeles Tuesday (10:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) followed by back-to-back games Thursday in San Jose and Friday in Anaheim. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134154 Montreal Canadiens

Liveblog: Pittsburgh beats Canadiens 5-1

MIKE BOONE March 2, 2019

Jared McCann’e empty-netter completed the stomping. Jake Guentzel made it 4-0 six minutes into the second period. Less than a minute later, Brendan Gallagher got the home team on the board. It took less than five minutes of the first period for Pittsburgh to go up 2-0. Sidney Crosby got it started 21 seconds in, off a Jordie Benn turnover. Then Evgeni Malkin scored from distance on a power play at 4:38. At 9:51, Guentzel beat Carey Price between the wickets to make it 3-0. Shots were 37-25 for the team that lost. • Wow! The Ottawa Dumpster Fire Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134155 Montreal Canadiens Julien insisted his players were ready to play Saturday night against the Penguins.

“If you watched the game and you take the goals away, I don’t think it Canadiens Game Day: Tough night for Carey Price in 5-1 loss to Pens was a slow start,” Julien said. “But we dug ourselves a hole. We gave up Penguins score three goals on their first four shots and goalie's three quick goals and some of them were from mistakes early on. Right teammates can't bail him out — something he's done for them so often. off a faceoff (the third goal) and, obviously, first shift. But we seemed to have our energy. Even at the end of the first, as a coaching staff we felt we had some energy and 3-0 we felt that if we came out in the second period and pushed hard and got ourselves back in the game we could do STU COWAN that. We had lots of chances in the second, but we couldn’t score enough. They scored a fourth one, we scored one. We should have had March 2, 2019 at least three goals in the second period, which would have put us in a better position, but wasn’t the case. Maybe Canadiens coach Claude Julien should have started Antti Niemi “The third, I don’t think it was much of a period,” the coach added. “We in goal Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. tried to push back, but they played a smart third period with a three-goal lead and just kept throwing the pucks out and made sure that we didn’t Julien decided to start Carey Price on back-to-back nights for the second spend too much time in their end.” time in a week and the goalie allowed three goals on the first four shots he faced as the Penguins went on to beat the Canadiens 5-1. Said Weber: “Honestly, I don’t think the score’s indicative of how we played tonight. I thought we played a really solid game. Obviously, you With the win, the Penguins (34-22-9) moved into the first wild-card playoff can’t give up a goal on the first shift, but overall I think we had a pretty spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Canadiens (35-24-7) fell into good effort, actually. I think energy wise, on a back-to-back after a road the second spot. While the Penguins and Canadiens both have 77 trip, I thought we had good legs and did good things. But it was just a points, Pittsburgh holds a game in hand. Two points behind them are the weird night.” Columbus Blue Jackets (36-25-3), who lost 4-0 to the Edmonton Oilers on home ice Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jackets hold two games in Power-play problems continue hand on the Canadiens. The Canadiens went 0-for-3 on the power play and are now 1-for-24 on “It is what it is,” Canadiens captain Shea Weber said about the tight the power play in their last 10 games. Weber did hit the goalpost with a playoff race. “All we can control is what we do. We can’t control what hard slapshot on one of the power plays. other teams are doing if they’re winning or losing. All we can do is get our The Canadiens now rank dead-last in the NHL on the power play with a two points and, unfortunately, it wasn’t tonight. We got to focus on 12.4 per cent success rate. Tuesday.” The Canadiens outshot the Penguins 37-25 in the game, but they also The Canadiens are back in action Tuesday night when they start a three- missed the net on 20 shots. Max Domi, who celebrated his 24th birthday game California road trip against the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m., on Saturday, led the Canadiens with six shots on goal, while Tomas TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Tatar had five. Sidney Crosby beat Price on the first shot of the game Saturday night Artturi Lehkonen continues to struggle offensively and has now gone 28 only 21 seconds into the first period after a bad giveaway by defenceman games without scoring a goal. Jordie Benn. Crosby finished the game with four points, including three assists. The Penguins were leading 3-0 only 8:51 into the game and the Julien pulled Price with more than four minutes left in the third period for Canadiens couldn’t bail out Price after the goalie bailed them out the an extra attacker before McCann scored his empty-net goal. night before in a 4-2 win over the Rangers in New York. “I think we believed in here the whole time,” Weber said about the Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens, his team-leading 29th goal possibility of a comeback. “We were talking in here between periods. Just of the season. The Penguins got two goals from Jake Guentzel and a week ago, we were up three goals (in Toronto) and lost. So we knew singles from Evgeni Malkin and Jared McCann (empty-netter). The that in this league no lead is safe and we believed that we could come Canadiens outshot the Penguins 12-4 in the first period, but were losing back. It just wasn’t tonight.” 3-0 at the intermission. The 20-goal club Price has now started 13 of the last 14 games and had to come on in relief of Niemi in the only game he didn’t start after the backup allowed Tatar and Domi have both scored 22 goals and are both in their first three goals on nine shots in a 6-3 loss to the Panthers in Florida on Feb. season with the Canadiens. 17. It’s pretty obvious Julien has lost faith in Niemi, who has a 8-5-2 record with a 3.75 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage. This marks only the sixth time in Canadiens history in which two players during their first season with the club scored at least 20 goals. Brian When asked before the game if he had any hesitation about starting Gionta and Michael Cammalleri were the last to do it during the 2009-10 Price in back-to-back games yet again, Julien said: “Not really. We talked season. Joe Malone and Newsy Lalonde were the first pair to accomplish about it. We’ve talked to him, we’ve talked about it as a staff, we looked it in 1917-18, the NHL’s inaugural season. at this whole situation. It only makes sense. I think right now in the situation we’re in, we’re in a playoff race right now and we’ve given him Home, sweet home some rest (from practice) so that we can have that option of using him in Canadiens rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi is only the third player in NHL back-to-backs, so that’s what we’re going to do here tonight.” history to score each of his first 11 career goals in home games. The Price also started back-to-back in Monday’s 2-1 loss to the Devils in New others are Bobby Sheehan and Sheldon Souray. Jersey and Tuesday’s 8-1 win over the Red Wings in Detroit. Kotkaniemi has 11-21-32 totals in 66 games with all of his goals coming Price did stop three breakaway attempts by the Penguins Saturday night at the Bell Centre. by Malkin, Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese. What’s next? “Any chance you get to bail out your goalie … he’s won us so many On Sunday, the Canadiens will fly to California, where they will play the games this year,” Weber said. “We owe him.” Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday (10:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 The question now is when — or if — Julien will feel comfortable starting Radio), the San Jose Sharks on Thursday (10:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Niemi in any of the Canadiens’ remaining 16 games in the regular 690 Radio) and the Anaheim Ducks on Friday (10 p.m., TSN2, RDS, season. TSN 690 Radio). The sportsclubstats.com website now has the Canadiens’ chances of “Obviously, a big part of our season,” Weber said after Saturday’s game. making the playoffs listed at 60.3 per cent. “A big stretch. That’s why I don’t think we should get too down in here. I think we deserved a better fate. At least the score wasn’t indicative of the Another slow start game. If we play like tonight overall, out West I think we’ll be successful.” Slow starts to games has been a recurring problem for the Canadiens The Canadiens’ next home game will be on Tuesday, March 12 against and Price was able to bail them out after falling behind 1-0 in the first the Red Wings (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). period Friday night in New York. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134156 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens vs. Penguins: Five things you should know This is the last of three meetings between these teams and the Habs took the first two. Montreal won 5-1 in Pittsburgh and 4-3 in a shootout at home.

PAT HICKEY March 2, 2019

Max Domi, right, tries to evade the stick of the Wings' Mike Green Tuesday night. Domi was honoured before the game Friday with the Molson Cup for February. Here are five things you should know about the Canadiens-Penguins game at Bell Centre Saturday (7 p.m., SN360, SN East, TVA Sports, TSN-690 Radio). The matchup: This is the last of three meetings between these teams and the Canadiens won the first two. Montreal posted a 5-1 win in Pittsburgh on Oct. 6 and was a 4-3 winner in a shootout a week later at the Bell Centre. The teams are battling for a playoff spot. Montreal beat the Rangers Friday night and hold the first wild-card spot with 77 points, while Pittsburgh has 75 points after losing in overtime in Buffalo. Price faces busy schedule: Carey Price started Friday night against the Rangers in New York, and with back-to-back games, that would normally have been Antti Niemi’s spot. But Montreal desperately needs points, and until the playoff race is decided one way or the other, look for Price to own the goal. It’s a heavy workload, but Montreal has only two more back-to-back situations. The first is next week in San Jose Thursday and Anaheim Friday. The other is March 23 at home to Buffalo and then a crucial game against the Hurricanes in Carolina on March 24. Domi collects some silverware: Max Domi will be honoured before the game with the Molson Cup for February. The award is based on three- star selections through the month and Domi was the first star twice and the second star twice. The Canadiens’ leading scorer had the most productive month of his career with 15 points — six goals and nine assists — in 13 games. He capped the month Tuesday when he had a career-high five points in Detroit. Penguins stars dim: There’s nothing wrong with being eighth in the NHL scoring unless, of course, you’re used to being near the top and you’re 25 points behind the leader. That’s the situation for two-time scoring champion Sidney Crosby who leads the Penguins with 79 points, including 28 goals. He’s in better shape than fellow two-time leading scorer Evgeni Malkin, who is one point up on Phil Kessel at 65 points. The team’s top goal-scorer is Jake Guentzel, who has 29. Defence a problem: The Penguins’ Achilles heel is a defence that ranks 19th in the NHL. It doesn’t help that Olli Maatta is on the injured reserve list and four other defencemen, including all-star Kris Letang, are day-to- day with minor ailments. Brian Dumoulin, Chad Ruhwedel and Erik Gudbranson are the other question marks for the weekend. The Penguins need help on the blue-line because the goaltending hasn’t been good. Casey DeSmith has a 2.86 goals-against average, while Matt Murray checks in at 2.94. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134157 Montreal Canadiens The only difference between now and then? The Canadiens were 29th in the league when I originally wrote those words. Now they’re 30th.

If not for their pathetic power play, the Canadiens would be sitting much When Sidney Crosby stomps on your hopes and dreams in less than 30 more comfortably in a playoff spot. seconds Final Word

It didn’t take long for Crosby and company to smell blood in the water. Marc Dumont Even if Price had been on top of his game early on, the Canadiens did Mar 2, 2019 not generate enough quality chances throughout the game. From the time Gallagher scored to the end of the third period, they managed just three 5-on-5 high-danger chances. And of their five high-danger chances Twenty-one seconds. on the night, two belonged to Nate Thompson. That’s all it took for the Canadiens to lose control of their Saturday night Up front, it would be easy to point fingers at Jonathan Drouin, the usual matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was crucial, with both teams scapegoat when things go bad, but he was just one of many no-shows playing a high stakes game of musical chairs. When the music stops, among the forwards. A poor effort from a team that should be treating odds are one of these teams won’t have a chair. every single game as a must-win, no matter who they’re facing. That certainly motivated the Penguins, but it appeared lost on the It was all over in just 21 seconds. Canadiens. It was essentially a carbon copy of the Canadiens’ poor start Friday night, except this time around Carey Price was not able to make The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 up for the poor play in the defensive zone. While Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel scored to give the Penguins an early 3-0 lead, the only player who managed to respond was the ever-reliable Brendan Gallagher, but his goal did nothing to change the momentum and the Canadiens fell 5-1. King in the North Whether the Canadiens are up by five goals or trailing by eight, you can count on Gallagher to make an impact at both ends of the rink. Versus the Penguins, he was essentially Jon Snow. Although that’s selling Phillip Danault’s effort a little short, seeing as he did a great job setting up the play, but as per usual, Gallagher was the one leading the charge on the goal-scoring front. Benn there, done that Jordie Benn is a very efficient third-pairing defenceman. Emphasis on third pairing. When used in his proper role, he plays a solid yet simple low-event style that mitigates mistakes. But as soon as he’s thrust into the top four, things start to fall apart. Against the Penguins, it took just one shift for things to go south. It wasn’t just the terrible giveaway that caused the goal, but rather Benn’s inability to adapt to a quickly changing situation. If he had followed Crosby to the net, he would have had a reasonable chance to prevent the goal. Instead, he covered no one. We can definitely point to the mistakes by Benn on this particular play, but it’s well established by now that he struggles when facing a high quality of competition. It’s up to the coach to avoid putting him in that situation in the first place. Though we certainly can’t blame Claude Julien for the second Penguins goal. Once again, Benn had a difficult time reading the play, and as a result he failed to clear the traffic in front of Price, resulting in a perfectly screened goal for Evgeni Malkin. All-you-can-score buffet Statistically speaking, Crosby may not be the best player in the NHL anymore, but there’s a very good reason NHL players feel he’s still the man to beat. Give him an opportunity, any opportunity, and he’ll make you pay, just as he did all night long against the Canadiens on his way to a four-point game. He exploited passing lanes, mismatches and open ice in the Canadiens zone with the greatest of ease. Even when a defenceman would stand his ground, as Brett Kulak did before the fourth Penguins goal, he still managed to get the puck into a high-scoring area. Groundhog day The Canadiens did have an opportunity to get back into the game but were let down by their woeful power play. For a team that has focused so much on their speed of execution at 5-on-5, the Canadiens simply slow things down way too much on the power play, giving opposing defenders and goaltenders far too much time to adjust. For the record, that paragraph is an exact copy of what I wrote way back on Nov. 13, and yet, it’s still quite accurate, which goes to show how little progress has been made when it comes to the man-advantage. 1134158 Montreal Canadiens up of his leg or knee issue that caused him to miss a road trip over Christmas because of what was termed “nagging irritation”?

Friday at MSG, the Habs had another seemingly comfortable 3-1 lead Melnick’s GBU: Back where his apparent demise began, Carey Price before a follow-the-bouncing-puck-moment with less than three minutes shows he is at the height of his powers to play resulted in a goal by Brendan Lemieux. It was difficult not to think about that miserable night in November. It was Mitch Melnick the same night Joel Armia was knocked out of action for 25 games when he was on the receiving end of a knee-on-knee hit by Brendan Smith. Mar 2, 2019 As if to emphasize the difference four months can make, Armia made sure there would be no New York comeback this time around, as he completed a third-period hat trick to ice the game and leave Price one It was back to the scene of the crime. But this time Carey Price played victory shy of tying Jacques Plante for most career wins by a Montreal the role of thief. goaltender. This was a lot more of the Price we’ve come to expect on the big stage at THE GOOD Madison Square Garden, as opposed to the imposter we saw the last time he visited. · Carey Price: His 28 (many high quality) save performance pushed his season save percentage to .918, which is the same number for his Let me take you back to where I’m going to – about 40 blocks south of career. Strawberry Fields. · Brendan Gallagher: Need a goal to get you kick-started? Where’s Four months ago in the same building, 10 days after he shut out the Gallagher? Darting to the front of the net for a re-direct, where he always Bruins in Boston with a 33-save performance to move past Patrick Roy seems to be. When the Habs absolutely needed a goal, it was their on- into second place on the all-time Montreal goalie wins list, Price and the ice leader who provided it. In his last 12 games, Gallagher has nine goals Habs were seemingly on their way to a win over the Rangers. They were and 12 points. up 3-1 late in the second period. A botched 5-on-3 power play a few minutes earlier gave no indication that it would (like many power plays to · Tomas Tatar: For anybody who expected a noticeable dip in Tatar’s follow) come back to bite them. play the deeper he went into the season, it’s been a wakeup call. He’s been remarkably consistent and dependable, especially on the road. His A late second period slapper by defenceman Anthony DeAngelo blind, spin-around pass to get the puck to the front of the Rangers’ net for narrowed the score to 3-2, but Montreal still appeared to be in good Gallagher to deflect was yet another example of his combination of high shape, having nursed similar leads in the final period to recent wins over end hockey sense and skill. St. Louis and Calgary. What better way for a young team to learn how to win than by protecting a one-goal lead in the third period? · Joel Armia: No timing issue getting his strong shot away when there is no defender in front of him. His strong hands enabled him to elevate the But eight minutes into the final period Pavel Buchnevich tied the game. puck from in tight over a sprawling Henrik Lundqvist to give Montreal a 2- Even so, the Habs appeared ready to bank at least a point. But with less 1 lead after Christian Folin’s dump-in took a weird carom off the boards than three minutes to play, everything changed when another and into Lundqvist’s crease. On his second goal early in the third period, defenceman, Neal Pionk, channeled his inner Brian Leetch and went he used Paul Byron as a decoy and easily beat Lundqvist to the glove coast-to-coast, completing his skate by moving through the crease of a side to give the Habs some breathing room. His empty-netter to clinch passive-looking Price to give the Rangers the lead. Less than a minute the game was the third Montreal hat trick in just over a week and left him later, a shorthanded goal by Mika Zibanejad cemented the unlikely with 10 goals in 40 games this season. Could Armia really score 20 goals victory by the Rangers and had Montreal fans screaming about Price and over an 82-game season? More to the point, is this sudden, late-season the power play. outburst any indication that he’s going to produce down the stretch? But the worst was yet to come. · Shea Weber and Victor Mete: Back to normal. Strongest game as a tandem in more than a few. A reassuring sight. The next night, Price looked shell-shocked as the Sabres fired six goals by him, including the overtime winner on a shot from well out by Rasmus · Max Domi: No actual production after his line produced 12 points in Ristolainen. After the game, in front of the usual mob of reporters, Price Detroit, but Domi was flying all night, a couple of steps ahead of his own sidestepped a question by saying, “Let’s cut to the chase. I wasn’t very linemates. Only strong saves by Lundqvist on some quick release shots good tonight.” by Domi kept the Habs centre from scoring. And suddenly, any doubts about Price’s ability to bounce back following · Fourth line: Nate Thompson, Dale Weise and Artturi Lehkonen might the worst season of his career, doubts that appeared to have been have been the only forward combo to show up on time. Easily their erased after a strong first month of the season, were back and out in the strongest game. Claude Julien resisted the temptation to insert newly- open. acquired Jordan Weal into the lineup. Weise responded with a mostly strong game along the boards, something that matters a lot to Julien. Price had given up 11 goals in the three games after his milestone Lehkonen is still around the net and we get his continuing frustration, but shutout in Boston. But eight of them had come in consecutive home he needs to stop skating to the bench with his head looking skyward. starts against two of the best offensive teams in the NHL, Washington (a Thompson’s helper on Armia’s empty netter was his first point as a 5-4 victory) and Tampa Bay. member of the Canadiens. But his faceoff play has been outstanding. He There really didn’t seem to be cause for alarm. But the losses to the was 11-for-16, which pushed his numbers as a Hab to 60 percent. Rangers and Sabres added up. He had allowed 19 goals in just four · Carey Price II: Who hasn’t seen the video yet? starts. THIS IS EVERYTHING — THIS YOUNG FAN, ANDERSON, MET HIS What followed was a reset. Goalie coach Stéphane Waite spent time with IDOL @CP0031, AFTER HIS MOTHER PASSED AWAY DUE TO Price on and off the ice, including a marathon viewing session of film CANCER. SHE HAD PROMISED HIM THAT SHE WOULD DO from Price’s Vezina and Hart trophy-winning season of 2014-15. EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO HELP THE TWO MEET AND IT How’d that work out? HAPPENED. THIS RIGHT HERE IS HOCKEY. #OURGREATGAME Slowly, but most assuredly, Price regained his world-class form. ( FB/ TAMMY WHITEHEAD) PIC.TWITTER.COM/WW6JLM2YOF There were several more highlight reel saves early in Friday’s game in — NHL (@NHL) MARCH 1, 2019 New York. But the rapid-fire, left pad stop on Vladislav Namestnikov, who was left alone to the left of Price because Dale Weise had fallen down, When asked about it for the first time after it went viral, a clearly moved was a game and perhaps season saver. It would have given New York a Price said after the game, “It was a touching moment for the little 2-0 lead. guy…(and) an emotional moment for myself. I’m a compassionate guy. He touched me a lot and I was happy to help out in some small way.” Price has consistently been in top form since he and Waite were able to Words to live by…and revisit the next time you get the urge to lash out figure things out during the week off in November. While the Habs didn’t over something as trivial as a bad goal or a bad game. necessarily need their goaltender to be brilliant to get off to a good start this season, they sure have had to lean on him of late. THE BAD The only lingering (nagging?) question at this point is his health. Do all · First Period: If not for their goaltender, the Canadiens would have these games, this deep into the season, result, at some point, in a flare suffered a defeat more costly than the one in New Jersey, when they didn’t wake up until an early third period shorthanded goal by Paul Byron. Anything less than the two wins that followed would have put their playoff hopes in peril. As it is, it’s still no sure thing but the two points up for grabs at MSG were eventually taken because Carey Price did his job early. Then it was Gallagher who provided the wakeup call that thankfully came a full period earlier than in Newark. And the unlikely offensive force of Armia who gave them a much-needed cushion. With 14 games over the next 30 days, and eight of them on the road, I’ll assume the Habs won’t be sleeping in again anytime soon. · Power Play: They only had one legitimate opportunity and it stretched their current ugly stretch on the power play to 1-for-20. It was again a horrible start for the first unit after a first period penalty to Chris Kreider. Jonathan Drouin mishandled the puck and everything was out of sync. As we’ve seen from Drouin, an early pivotal moment can greatly affect the rest of his night – good or bad – and the lack of cohesion adversely affected him. But to his credit, with Domi leading the way, Drouin got it together again, even driving directly to the net midway through the game only to get upended by Lundqvist before he was able to get a shot away. But back to the power play. Perhaps a flicker of hope emerged when the second unit hit the ice and Mete and Weber flip flopped positions on the fly. It resulted in a rare recent sighting of a Weber one-time blast that Lundqvist was able to kick away. Moments later, Lundqvist also denied a strong Weber wrist shot from the high slot. At least there’s something to hang your Sinatra fedora on. Until the next one anyway. THE UGLY · Brendan Lemieux: This should be fun. Round one of a Domi-Lemieux feud in the making. · Gallagher-Kreider: Scary moment on the first shift of the second period when Gallagher and Kreider collided in open ice. But you never really know with Kreider do you? Gallagher had to head off the ice, clearly woozy after Kreider’s stick and shoulder made contact with his noggin. As he was doubled over on the bench there wasn’t a Habs fan anywhere not reaching for their Kreider voodoo doll. But six minutes later it was Gallagher getting even by tying up the game. He is simply the most indispensable skater on the Canadiens. And maybe those pins worked after all. Well into the third period it was Kreider’s turn to head off the ice in pain after he collided awkwardly with teammate Brady Skjei. In between the two collisions, you couldn’t help but wonder if Weber was going to send Kreider into Hell’s Kitchen. The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134159 Nashville Predators

Jets' Adam Lowry suspended two games for hitting Preds' Filip Forsberg in head with stick

Paul Skrbina 8:05 p.m. CT March 2, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS — The Jets' Adam Lowry received a two-minute minor penalty Friday after he whacked Predators forward Filip Forsberg in the head with his stick with 5:25 left during the Predators' 5-3 loss in Winnipeg. On Saturday, Lowry's punishment was extended by two games after the NHL suspended him for high sticking. Forsberg went down after being struck but stayed in the game. Forsberg was credited with a hit on Lowry seconds before Lowry hit him with his stick. The play will cost Lowry $31,362 in missed pay, which will be put into the players' emergency assistance fund. He has 21 goals — second on the team — and 19 assists in 50 games. Forsberg missed 17 games this season with an upper-body injury.

OK NOT COOL  pic.twitter.com/99TTdnfbfq — FOX Sports Tennessee (@PredsOnFSTN) March 2, 2019 Tennessean LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134160 Nashville Predators "He is starting to find that pace to his game and the conditioning part of it after being out for a long two months."

Mind games Predators' PK Subban on a tough season: 'I never think adversity is a bad thing' Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, too, has noticed an uptick in Subban's lately.

The important thing, though, Rinne said, is Subban's state of mind. His Paul Skrbina self-assurance. The hockey, that will be there. 1:04 p.m. CT March 2, 2019 "That helps him," Rinne said. "Everybody is going to have their ups and downs. ... I heard him saying he's been feeling way better as of late, and he looks way better. He looks like the player we know. It helps P.K. that WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Don't worry. Try to be happy. he always has that confidence in himself." P.K. Subban has learned to adopt that approach during the course his Tennessean LOADED: 03.03.2019 10-year career. He further embraced that mantra this season, perhaps the most trying of them all for him on a professional level. But he's not always happy. The Predators defenseman missed 19 games with a lower-body injury, after playing in all 82 regular-season games in three of the previous five years. His production has been down — he has seven goals and 17 assists after scoring on a power play during Friday's 5-3 loss to the Jets — but he insists he's not. He's tried to fend off the effects of illness since his return from what he called a "freak" upper-body injury. "I still always think I haven’t played my best game yet, haven’t had my best year yet," Subban said Monday after scoring a goal in a shootout win over the Oilers. "This year has been a tough year so far, but I’m just trying to push it the last couple games and get myself back to where I know I can be and dominate games. "I’m not too happy with my year. I’d like to be healthier and play better." Adversity a good thing But that doesn't mean Subban is worried. Furthermore, he feels sorry for anyone who feels sorry for him. "I never think adversity is a bad thing, never," he said. He thinks the opposite. "Adversity is a great thing," he said. And, when it comes to injuries, something he can do nothing about? "I'm not really upset about it. That's part of sports," he said "I've been fortunate to have the career I've had. I'm pretty happy with the work I've done." He then recited the precise number of games — 629 — he'd played to that point. Added he's been on playoff runs. Said he has no control over injuries. "It’s about wrapping your head around the fact that you feel better every day," Subban said. "I feel like that’s exactly where I’ve been going. It’s getting better every day. That’s my focus." Lindsey Vonn, a TV special and finger biting Subban tries to live every day to the fullest. Greeting girlfriend Lindsey Vonn with a goat cake and having his own TV special and being bitten, like Subban said he was in a game against Vegas, can look exhausting. But Predators coach Peter Laviolette said the team knew what it was getting when it traded Shea Weber to the Canadiens to acquire him. And he's perfectly fine with the person and player the energetic Subban is, so long as his first priority is hockey. Subban is an offensive defenseman, but Laviolette said there seems to be a lack of appreciation for what he does on both ends of the ice. The Predators coach has noticed improvement since Subban's return, which will be vital if the team has plans for a long playoff run. "He’s definitely moving better out there," Laviolette said. "Everybody can see that. What makes P.K. a special player is the way he defends. He’s very good at it. 1134161 New Jersey Devils The Devils gave themselves a chance with a combination of strong defense and strong goaltending but without their high-end forwards to drive the offense the team is stuck in an offensive draught. Mackenzie Blackwood shines but Devils fall 1-0 to Bruins "He was square to the puck, he fought through traffic," Hynes said. "I thought we played very well defensively too. The structure of our game was real strong and I really like our team game. Our team was strong but Abbey Mastracco we've got to find a way to get one or two in the net a little bit more." 10:28 p.m. ET March 2, 2019 Notes Mar 2, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (41) checks Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) into BOSTON — Mackenzie Blackwood stole the show on Saturday night in the boards during the first period at TD Garden. Boston but the skaters in front of him, mostly understudies from the American Hockey League at this point, didn’t put on much of one. The Devils are 3-5-3 in the second game of back-to-back contests and 8- 21-3 on the road. … Kurtis Gabriel served a one-game suspension for Blackwood was stellar stopping 29 of 30 shots in a 1-0 loss to the Boston boarding on Nolan Patrick on Friday night. The hit came in the first period Bruins at TD Garden. But the Bruins outshot the Devils 30-20, showing of a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center. Gabriel was later just how tough it was for the depleted New Jersey skaters to generate removed from the game and put through concussion protocol after any offense. Patrick retaliated with an elbow to his head in the third period. However, Gabriel tested negative for a concussion. … Nathan Bastian did not “We did have some good looks. We had a 2-on-1, Yakovlev had a great make the trip to Boston with the Devils after leaving Friday’s game with shot,” coach John Hynes said. “I think we did have some high-quality an injury. He was not listed on the injury report and his injury is chances but we’re not generating enough to be able to score and I think undisclosed. Joey Anderson was recalled from Binghamton of the we’ve got to get some grittier, greasier goals.” American Hockey League to take his place in the game. The Devils are still without many top forwards, including Miles Wood, Bergen Record LOADED: 03.03.2019 Pavel Zacha, Stefan Noesen and Taylor Hall, and were once again forced to use defenseman Egor Yakovlev as a winger. Yakovlev took it in stride, registering three shots on goal and coming up with good scoring chances in the first and second periods. But they lost another forward with Nico Hischier leaving the game twice, once in the second period and for good in the third. Travis Zajac, New Jersey’s only playmaker left, was double-shifted and left to shoulder the load. "Obviously we don't have a lot of depth right now with centers," Devils' captain Andy Greene said. "But that gives another guy an opportunity that may not have one. We'd like to have him out there and he's a big huge part of this team." It looked as though Sami Vatanen may have also been injured with 38 seconds left in the game when Brad Marchand cross-checked him from behind as he went back to prevent an empty-net goal. Vatanen, who has only played three games since returning from a concussion, went down in a heap and the trainers came out to check on the defenseman while the Devils used a timeout. He was uninjured but because the trainers had checked on him the Devils were unable to use him on the next shift as they intended. The Devils could have had a two-man advantage had Marchand been penalized but Hynes didn't disagree with the officiating. "Even with the players' reactions, it didn't seem like it was a big deal," Hynes said. Zajac had one of the Devils’ best chances to tie in the second period but Tuuka Rask turned him aside the keep the shutout intact. In the third with about 10 minutes left, it was Jesper Bratt who went coast-to-coast in what seemed like a split-second but was denied by Rask. The Bruins, who are desperately trying to hold off the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division, extended their point streak to 16 games (12-0-4). Marchand scored the only goal of the game, a power play goal 2:37 into play. Marchand was once a foe of the Devils as his flying elbow knocked out former New Jersey forward Marcus Johansson for much of last season, but now the two play together on the Bruins with Johansson having been traded to Boston for two draft picks at the trade deadline on Monday. Marchand played in his 666th game against the Devils. The jokes wrote themselves. Mar 2, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and New Jersey Devils defenseman Egor Yakovlev (74) battle behind the goal during the first period at TD Garden. The power play goal began as a fluky one but Jake DeBrusk was able to effectively settle the puck and get it to Patrice Bergeron, who slid a feed to Marchand and the latter banked it off the crossbar over Blackwood. At the 7:16 mark, Marchand picked Damon Severson’s pocket at the blue line and the defenseman hooked him in order to stop the breakaway. Marchand was awarded a penalty shot and Blackwood made a strong save on the wrister to keep the score at 1-0. 1134162 New Jersey Devils

Devils' Kurtis Gabriel suspended for boarding

Abbey Mastracco 5:21 p.m. ET March 2, 2019

A heated rivalry game between the Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night at Prudential Center resulted in nearly 20 penalty minutes and a handful of injuries between the two teams. Add on a suspension and a fine for New Jersey forward Kurtis Gabriel, who will sit on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. The NHL suspended the Devils’ scrapper Saturday afternoon for boarding Flyers’ forward Nolan Patrick in the first period of Friday night’s 6-3 loss. Gabriel will also forfeit $3,494.62, under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, with the money going to to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Kurtis Gabriel suspended one game for boarding Nolan Patrick - https://t.co/1HtXVlD3gspic.twitter.com/LbzbmuE7av — Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) March 2, 2019 Patrick later returned to the game and retaliated with a brutal hit on Gabriel, laying him out with an elbow to the face in the third period. Gabriel was called out to undergo concussion protocol. Coach John Hynes had hoped the league would also review Patrick’s hit to Gabriel. "I'm sure it's going to get reviewed," Hynes said. "Guy goes to the penalty box and gets called out for concussion protocol. Blindside hit to the head.” #MARCH1#PHIvsNJD 3rd period#Flyers Nolan Patrick hit on #NJDevils Kurtis Gabriel. IMO, head is NOT the primary point of contact. pic.twitter.com/beczOOQpbe — John Smith (@NJviDs) March 2, 2019 The Devils are also without forward Nathan Bastian, who left Friday’s game with an injury as well. With only 11 healthy forwards, defenseman Egor Yakovlev will once again line up at forward and Joey Anderson was called up from Binghamton of the American Hockey League to draw back into the lineup. Nick Lappin, who left the game in the third period after taking a shot off his skate from defenseman Connor Carrick, is in the lineup on Saturday. Gabriel has been effective for the Devils in a fourth-line role as they've lost several players to injuries and trades. The AHL veteran has been trying to prove his worth as more than just an enforcer by using other attributes of his game, like his hands and his big body around the net. The Devils do like the physicality Gabriel (two goals, one assist) brings to the game but have made it known to him that he needs to toe the line without going over it. However, Gabriel was not the only player going over the line in a game where a line brawl nearly broke out between two Metropolitan Division rivals. Bergen Record LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134163 New Jersey Devils protocol in the third. Bastian’s locker was not packed up following the game. The Devils’ roster is already completely decimated by injuries (forwards Pavel Zacha, Kyle Palmieri, John Quenneville, Stefan Noesen Devils continue to stress 'process over results' in loss to Flyers and Taylor Hall are all out with injuries) and with another game in Boston on Saturday they can’t afford anymore.

“I don’t think I’ve seen something like this in my career,” Rooney said. Abbey Mastracco “Guys are playing hard, guys are playing for each other. You saw it in the third, we’re sticking up for each other. We’re going to continue to do that.” 7:15 a.m. ET March 2, 2019 Bergen Record LOADED: 03.03.2019

NEWARK — The Devils thought they were the better team for much of the game against the Flyers on Friday night but they weren’t rewarded for it. A couple of fluky goals and bad bounces doomed them in a 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center. Coach John Hynes lauded the identity of the young group continued to stress his mantra: Process over results. The process was right: The Devils outshot the Flyers 33-23 and continued to fight when they fell behind. But they just didn’t get the results and the roster is too depleted to make up for so many bad bounces. “We certainly played to an identity and had all kinds of opportunities to score,” Hynes said. “I thought we dictated the play, I thought were hard on the puck. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a way to put a few more pucks in the net and they had some goals they put in the net that were lucky bounces.” Here are three takeaways from the Devils’ loss to the Flyers. Without missing a beat Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils is congratulated by teammates on the bench after he scored in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 01, 2019 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. A few weeks ago, Hynes said Jesper Bratt had “elevated his play.” The speedy winger returned after a two-game absence with a lower-body injury to score his eighth goal of the season, continuing to further elevate his play. “You see the dynamic he adds to your lineup,” Hynes said. “He picked up right where he left off.” Bratt, who has 12 points in his last 12 games, hit a wall around this time last year. He was fatigued mentally and physically in his first full NHL season. But the 20-year-old Swede learned from those experiences and figured out how to effectively manage his fitness, nutrition and maybe most importantly, his energy throughout the season and the results are what you’re seeing now: A point-per-game rate deep into the season. “Compared to last year, I’ve been taking a lot better care of my body,” Bratt said. “During the days off I’ve been having good workouts and getting a lot of help from coaches to be ready to play every game and every practice. I’ve been feeling good during this stretch here.” Learning curve Egor Yakovlev #74 and Connor Carrick #5 of the New Jersey Devils talk during a stop in play in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 01, 2019 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils outshot the Flyers 24-16 through final two periods but a few bad bounces and a few minutes of letting up led to a third-period breakdown and the Flyers taking a four-goal lead. Some of these younger players on the roster are learning how just how quickly the ice can tilt in the big leagues. “I’m still young in this league and I’m still learning the margin for error is just so, so slim,” forward Kevin Rooney said. “That was really just a tough break at the second. The puck hit my skate so it’s really disappointing.” Travis Konecny’s goal went off the skate of Rooney and dribbled past goalie Cory Schneider with 30 seconds left to go in the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie and putting the Flyers ahead for good. Body count Andy Greene #6 of the New Jersey Devils congratulates Kenny Agostino #17 on the assist on teammate Damon Severson's goal in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 01, 2019 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Nathan Bastian and Nick Lappi both left the game in the third period with injuries. Kurtis Gabriel was pulled out to be put through concussion 1134164 New Jersey Devils

Brad Marchand's 666th game fittingly comes in win versus Devils

Staff Writer MAR 02, 2019 | 9:55 PM

BOSTON — Tuukka Rask had a perfect spot to watch most of the action. Fortunately for the Boston Bruins, the few times he had to go to work, he was ready. Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal early in the opening period and Rask made it stand up with 20 saves in a relatively easy night for his third shutout of the season, lifting the surging Bruins to a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. "I think it comes with the experience," Rask said of his light night. "You just kind of hang out, watch the game, take it like a practice. You start thinking too much and you kind of (hurt) yourself. You let your experience come in." The victory improved the Bruins' streak of at least one point in every game to 16 straight (12-0-4) and they haven't lost in regulation since a 3- 2 setback to the New York Rangers on Jan. 19. It's their longest since 18 games (14-0-4) last season. Rask is 14-0-3 in his last 17 starts. "Goalies are human, too," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "They have a tendency to let their foot off, so to speak, and take a mental breather. . He's really in a zone right now. It looked like one of his easier shutouts, but these games are sometimes harder because you don't get a lot of action and you've got to stay focused." Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots for the Devils, including Marchand's penalty shot. New Jersey has lost five of seven. "You realize it's 1-nothing, but it's not like I feel a ton of pressure to not let another one in," he said. "It's more so I want to keep feeling good about my game to give the guys a chance." It was the first time the Devils have been shut out since a 3-0 loss to Columbus on Dec. 23. "We made a good first pass," New Jersey defenseman Andy Greene said. "It was maybe that second and third play coming out of our zone." With Kenny Agostino in the penalty box for interfering with Rask, Marchand beat Blackwood with a wrister from the bottom of the right circle just 14 seconds into the power play after collecting a pass from Bergeron at 2:37. It was Bergeron's 793rd career point, moving him into a sixth-place tie with Wayne Cashman on Boston's all-time scoring list. Marchand had his penalty shot after getting hooked by defenseman Damon Severson almost five minutes after his goal, but Blackwood made a right-pad stop. Rask made a nice left-pad stop on winger Jesper Bratt, who cut in alone midway into the final period, bringing a loud roar from the crowd looking for some offense by the Bruins. In the second period, the Bruins outshot the Devils 10-4, getting a couple of good chances in the final minute that Blackwood turned aside. CAN'T MAKE THIS UP Marchand played his 666th career game and entered the contest with 666 career penalty minutes against, yep, the Devils. He didn’t register a penalty on Saturday. New York Daily News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134165 New Jersey Devils

Devils have no answer for Bruins or their scorching-hot goalie

Staff Writer March 2, 2019 | 10:20PM

BOSTON — The Devils gave the surging Bruins a fight, but it wasn’t enough. Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal early in the opening period and Tuukka Rask made it stand up with 20 saves for his third shutout of the season, lifting the surging Boston Bruins to a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. The victory improved the Bruins’ streak of at least one point in every game to 16 straight (12-0-4) and they haven’t lost in regulation since a 3- 2 setback to the New York Rangers on Jan. 19. It’s their longest since 18 games (14-0-4) last season. Rask is 14-0-3 in his last 17 starts. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots for the Devils, including Marchand’s penalty shot. New Jersey has lost five of seven. With Kenny Agostino in the penalty box for interfering with Rask, Marchand beat Blackwood with a wrister from the bottom of the right circle just 14 seconds into the power play after collecting a pass from Bergeron at 2:37. It was Bergeron’s 793rd career point, moving him into a sixth-place tie with Wayne Cashman on Boston’s all-time scoring list. Marchand had his penalty shot after getting hooked by defenseman Damon Severson almost five minutes after his goal, but Blackwood made a right-pad stop. Rask made a nice left-pad stop on winger Jesper Bratt, who cut in alone midway into the final period, bringing a loud roar from the crowd looking for some offense by the Bruins. In the second period, the Bruins outshot the Devils 10-4, getting a couple of good chances in the final minute that Blackwood turned aside. New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134166 New York Islanders

Islander fans will puke watching John Tavares' stunning Leafs ovation

MARK FISCHER MAR 02, 2019 | 11:00 PM

John Tavares is safe, sound and tucked away in Toronto. Long Island’s enemy No. 1 was serenaded with cheers from Maple Leafs fans Saturday night — dubbed by the hockey addicts #TavaresDayTO — before the superstar’s first home game since being obliterated by his former crowd earlier this week. The Leafs changed their starting lineup introductions to announce Tavares last, prompting a huge roar and standing ovation. Tavares gave them more to cheer about when he jammed in a loose puck for his 37th goal of the season. He also tallied two assists en route to a 5-2 win over the Sabres. From Oakville, Ontario. Number 91. John Tavares.#LeafsForever peel away from blueline leaving Tavares in spotlight for his announcement in starting lineup. Quite cool.#NHL pic.twitter.com/8alXoSq1JV — Dave McCarthy (@DaveAMcCarthy) March 3, 2019 "It was a pretty special moment, certainly to be recognized like that and get the support of the city and the fans," Tavares said. "Shows you why it's special to be a Maple Leaf. Definitely got some goosebumps, and a nice little boost there. "Nice to do it in a win, and come home on a Saturday and play the way we did." Tavares, the longtime face of the Islanders before slipping back on his pajamas and returning home to Toronto, was the target of vicious chants at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Among the melodies, as chronicled by ESPN: “We don’t need you!” “A--h---!” “JT sucks.” “You’re a liar.” Not everyday you can live a childhood dream pic.twitter.com/YUTKdfMALl — John Tavares (@91Tavares) July 1, 2018 “Who’s your daddy?” “Where’s your jammies?” The Islanders romped past the Leafs that Thursday night, 6-1, though the vile feelings likely remain. "It was probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life," Tavares said at the time. "Obviously, it took me some time to do it because of how difficult it was and really not sure what I wanted to do until I made the decision. "They always made it tough on the opponent when I played here. They have their feelings and that's out of my control." New York Daily News LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134167 New York Islanders

Why Islanders can’t find regular spot for healthy Thomas Hickey

Brett Cyrgalis March 2, 2019 | 11:45PM

Players aren’t supposed to lose lineup spots because of injury, but sometimes that’s just the way it goes. At least, that’s what has happened with Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey, who went from a top-four stalwart to now having to battle to get back in after missing 10 weeks following a concussion suffered on Dec. 17. Hickey has been scratched for two straight following his return Tuesday. As coach Barry Trotz made clear, it wasn’t just because he wanted to ease him back into the lineup, but because the defensive corps had played so well in his absence. “Our defense sort of solidified with Hicks, for the most part, when he was gone,” Trotz said after Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Capitals. “The pairs seem to work for us. So he has to battle to get back in. That’s sometimes the nature of the beast, unfortunately.” Hickey, 30, is in the first year of a four-year, $10 million deal. When he played Tuesday, he forced Scott Mayfield out the lineup and bumped Devon Toews over to the right side. The next time he gets in, it might make more sense for Adam Pelech to come out and pair Hickey with Ryan Pulock. Either way, Trotz is not planning a rotation. “No. 1 thing is we have to go with the lineup that we think gives us the best chance to win every night until we get to where we want to get to, and that’s into the postseason,” Trotz said, his team getting Saturday off before returning to action with a Coliseum matinee against the Flyers on Sunday. “We’re not there. And if someone gets nicked up, we’ve got other guys that will have to step up and do that.” Trotz is well aware of the remaining schedule, including the fact the final game of the regular season is in Washington on April 6. If the battle for first place in the Metropolitan Division between his current team and his former team comes down to that game, seems like Trotz would be pretty pleased. “If it comes down to the last game of the season for placing, it is what it is. It’ll be great,” he said. “That [would be] a situation where you are getting ready for playoffs, and it might be a playoff game.” Trotz said Andrew Ladd is expected to get back into the lineup on Sunday after the veteran winger had been a healthy scratch on Friday. That would have been the third game in fourth nights for Ladd, who had just returned from a lower-body injury suffered back on Nov. 13. New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134168 New York Islanders Of course, lately, not even the reflected swagger of the Yankees has helped all that much. But, then, we already knew: There is nothing at all sensical about rooting for sports.” Tavares and Harper events more proof ‘fan’ is short for ‘fanatic’ Vac’s Whacks I’m not saying St. John’s fans should necessarily be making reservations Mike Vaccaro in Dayton for the NCAA play-in round just yet … but I am saying the Johnnies sure are flirting with visiting Ohio’s garden spot in a few weeks. March 2, 2019 | 9:46PM It makes every ounce of baseball business sense for Pete Alonso to be kept in the minor leagues a few extra weeks to gain an extra year of control … but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream of him digging in It really was a perfect confluence Thursday afternoon. Islanders fans had against Max Scherzer on Opening Day at Nationals Park at the close of been sipping tea with lemon all day, alternating that with cheery-flavored the month. cough drops to make sure their vocal cords were strong and primed for two-plus hours of booing and jeering and taunting John Tavares, who On the list of greatest spring training players of all time, can Greg Bird was back in the neighborhood for the first time as a Toronto Maple Leaf. even see whoever is No. 2, as far out ahead as he is? Now, it’s true that a good percentage of Islanders fans are Mets fans You don’t think the NFL has a concussion problem? Take two hours and (and Jets fans; it’s like at birth someone snuck into the nursery and watch the remarkable Nick Buoniconti documentary on HBO. Then tell asked you to pick a lifetime bundle, and some sad souls go me what you think. Mets/Jets/Islanders and the happier ones go Yankees/Giants/Rangers), but we must believe there are some Islanders fans who are actually Whack Back at Vac Yankees fans, too. Steve Giegerich: Santa Claus? Ask Mike Schmidt! I lived in Philadelphia Meaning that even as they were resting their larynxes to better berate the for six years, and I’ve never saw a Hall Of Fame player treated worse. Judas skating around the Coliseum in a white sweater with a blue leaf on Vac: All I’m saying is, Bryce might not want to start the season 2-for-25. the front and a “91” on the back, they were seething at the notion that it really, truly, actually happened: Both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper Bruce Frigeri: The Knicks should pay us to watch them. Clearly the best were on the free-agent market. thing about Thursday’s game was Clyde Frazier’s outfit. It had to be top five all time. And the Yankees signed neither of them. Vac: It really does say something when the biggest reason to watch a (What were the odds of THAT happening, do you think? Back in 2015 or team’s game is the announcers. Clyde and Mike Breen have been the so, it seemed possible — likely even — that there would be a three-man team MVPs for 15 straight years. Bronx splurge of Harper, Machado and Matt Harvey. Funny how the road winds.) @Giantstalk2: The beauty of baseball is the fan’s ability to argue and second-guess strategy in between pitches, innings and pitching changes. Now, we could argue the logic of this for hours on end except for one The powers that be only care about the casual fan: who will disappear problem: There is nothing at all logical about the way fans think, certainly the second the team starts losing. The real fans are always taken for not in the moment, certainly not when their blood is at a full boil. So it is granted. indeed possible with the same sporting soul to rail against the Leafs (who are the NHL’s answer to the Yankees in fan interest, marketing, hype, @MikeVacc: Always, always, always. hysteria, everything except the string of titles since 1967) heisting Tavares while also railing against the Yankees doing likewise to the Mel Gross: I was reading that Aaron Boone may use an opener Nationals. occasionally. I remember past openers like Ramiro Mendoza and Dick Tidrow. They were called spot starters. “You’re asking me to make sense of rooting for sports,” a loyal reader named James McSherry (whose rooting loyalties are a hard-to-decipher Vac: And those were the days, my friend. Yankees/Jets/Islanders lineup) explained, “when there is nothing at all New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019 sensical about rooting for sports.” The interesting thing about this cross-pollination is the way one of your teams behaves generally informs how you view all of your teams. There is no scientific data behind this, for instance, but I feel quite safe declaring that the largest alliance in New York is the Yankees/Giants partnership. Years of success, and years of lording that success over their Mets/Jets friends/co-workers/spouses has bred a fan that is never looking for the other shoe to drop. (Which is perfect, because usually BOTH shoes are falling on the heads of the Mets/Jets fan) I would argue, in truth, that much of the angst of Mets fans when it comes to the continuing contract status of Jacob deGrom comes from the fresh memories of many Mets fans who also root for the Islanders, and went through the egregious Tavares drama of last July, and want no part of that ever again. Again, there is no logic to this. But, then, there is no logic to my friend, a ferocious Villanova fan, waking up Thursday to 117 unread text messages from his Nova fan thread on his iPhone. He shared a few with me. Let’s just say that after reading them I had to turn to the internet to make sure I properly remembered Villanova’s record (21-8) and also the fact that they have won two of the past three NCAA Tournaments. “Some of these guys,” he admitted, “may need some help.” Ah, but that’s sports. And that’s why in a few months it will be so much fun to sprinkle in the Knicks fans who seem to straddle both the Mets/Jets/Islanders and Yankees/Giants/Rangers alliances. The Knicks, after all, are never more appealing to this vast cross-section than when they have money to burn and big names to chase, so it fulfills both the expectations of Knicks fans who also root for the Yankees and the fantasies of Knicks fans who root for the Mets. 1134169 New York Islanders Which begs the question: With the Flyers having gone 19-11-4 with Scott Gordon behind the bench after replacing Dave Hakstol, and 15-3-2 since Jan. 14, does Philadelphia need Joel Quenneville more than ever next The opportunity Islanders fans missed in John Tavares’ return year so that the team can take the next steps, or not at all? When we talk about great/dreadful trades, just where does the one rank in which the Sharks acquired (and a second-rounder) from Larry Brooks the Wild in exchange for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and the 28th- overall selection in the draft that became Zack Phillips? March 2, 2019 | 5:41PM Yes, the Leafs were without the injured Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott on Thursday for the 6-1 beatdown on Long Island, but if you didn’t come away from that game wondering why Toronto GM Kyle You know something? I owe an apology to Islanders’ fans for setting the Dubas did not supplement his team’s blue line at the deadline (even after bar so low before John Tavares’ return to the Coliseum on Thursday that jumping the market weeks earlier to get Jake Muzzin), you were probably when it had ended, I actually wrote that it had not been an ugly night at the only one. the old barn. Mark Stone Because, and I knew it in my gut in the press box and even more so on the drive home after I had written, the venom and vitriol aimed at No. 91 Vegas’ signing of Stone to an eight-year contract at an annual $9.5 from a crowd that acted more like a mob, was ugly, only I excused it in million per after acquiring the winger from the Senators is yet another the name of passion and because, I guess, the game was not disrupted illustration of why the league’s extremely favorable rules for the by folks throwing things onto the ice at their one-time beloved captain or expansion draft were so unfair to the preexisting 30 clubs. otherwise breaking the law. Because, as the first expansion team of the hard cap era, the Golden As I said, low bar. Knights were always going to have an advantage no other novice entry ever had. They were going to come away from the draft, and their first I have written dozens of times over the last 20 years about how the season, with an enormous amount of cap space with which to retain their Islanders’ battered fan base has been about the most abused in sports. own players and woo free agents. Thursday night was an example of battered fan’s syndrome. The abused became the abusers. And after constructing a team of scrappy overachievers with chips on their shoulders after having been left unprotected, general manager Islanders fans give John Tavares the business during their team's 6-1 George McPhee has taken advantage of that benefit. The Golden win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Knights signed Paul Stastny to a three-year deal worth $6.5 million per The chants John Tavares heard from the Islanders faithful after his rental stay in Winnipeg. They signed Jonathan Marchessault, who earned $750,000 last year, to a six-year contract at $5.0 million per. And it is not that Tavares — never anything less than the quintessential Vegas traded for Max Pacioretty and gave him a four-year extension at solid citizen during his nine years under mostly amateurish management, $7.0 million per. And now, Stone. the last six of which he played on a club-friendly long-term contract extension he signed after his second season — deserved more than This from a team in a no-tax state that started ahead in that regard, too. hours of verbal abuse, even though he did. New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019 It is that the fans deserved more from themselves. They could have been better on Thursday. They could have made a name for themselves by being classy. At least I did not make the mistake of calling them that Thursday. Instead, they merely cleared the lowest bar that could have been set for them while defaming one of the great players in franchise history and ruining a video tribute to No. 91 that some of the innocent bystanders in attendance might have appreciated. And don’t think just about everyone who has ever worn an Islanders sweater, including the 20 on Thursday, did not take notice. So this fellow Pierre Dorion, general manager of the Senators, said following the deadline before which he traded Matt Duchene and Mark Stone, “It doesn’t mean our highest-scoring players were our high- character players.” Now, I suppose it is possible the GM was not talking directly about those two players, but Stone (28-34=62) and Duchene (27-31=58) were the team’s two leading scorers before they were dealt. I suppose it could be a coincidence. But if not, and if the two forwards were not “high-character” players, then why on earth did Ottawa attempt to sign them both to huge, long-term deals in the range of at least $80 million apiece before being rejected? In the minutes following the Rangers’ season finale in Philadelphia last year, which would be only a few hours before he was dismissed, Alain Vigneault delivered a stunning monologue lasting 6 minutes, 4 seconds in which he defended not so much his (exceptional) record behind an NHL bench and his (very successful) tenure in New York, but his ability to coach and develop young talent. And so if Vigneault, living in Florida and with one year at $4.25 million remaining on his contract with the Rangers, wants to get back in the game before people forget his name (and it happens, quickly, especially so in a league that is leaning younger even behind the bench, never mind Ken Hitchcock) that would be his pitch to Ottawa, which created a vacancy this week by dismissing Guy Boucher. Because the perfect job for Vigneault — veteran team on the cusp of winning and in need of a change from a brow-beating coach — may never come along. The perfect job may be the next one he is offered. 1134170 New York Islanders New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019

Islanders aren’t in rush for serious contract talks with top-line star

Brett Cyrgalis March 2, 2019 | 12:38PM

Call the Islanders’ top line The Money Line. Or, really, the Money to Be Made Line. Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle are all set to be unrestricted free agents on July 1, assuming team president Lou Lamoriello doesn’t get any deals done before then. And though Lamoriello was effusive in his praise of the trio after nobody was moved as a rental property before the Feb. 25 trade deadline — “This is certainly an indication of what we think of them and what we think of our own team,” Lamoriello said — the sage general manager is keeping his options open. Which is why there haven’t been substantial negotiations with Nelson’s camp, The Post has learned. The 27-year-old just reached the 20-goal plateau for the fourth time in his career, and the one-year, $4.25 million deal he is playing on seems to have him thoroughly engaged. That, and coach Barry Trotz giving him the opportunity to play top minutes with such talented linemates. “Didn’t really know what to expect in the summer,” Nelson told The Post on Friday, with his first-place team getting Saturday off before a Coliseum matinee on Sunday against the Flyers. “Obviously getting a one-year [deal], coming back with a new mindset, kind of a new focus and a new opportunity. It’s been a bit of a different situation, more opportunity to go out there and take a bigger role and see where it went. So far, things have been great. Everything from Lou to Barry and the team, everything has been great.” The question that Lamoriello will have to answer is how much does he think Nelson is worth. Maybe Nelson’s ask will start somewhere in the neighborhood of Adam Henrique’s five-year, $29.125 million deal ($5.825 million per) the former Devil signed this past summer with the Ducks. The term on teammate Josh Bailey’s six-year, $30 million deal that began this season is far too long for Lamoriello, but the $5 million annual salary-cap hit on a two- or three-year deal would be easier to swallow. “There hasn’t really been any talks or any indication one way or the other,” Nelson said. “That’s a good thing for all parties, take it day-by- day. Everybody wants to win and we’re in a good spot to do that right now.” All the winning has surely made this whole situation easier on these players with uncertain futures. Lee was handed the captaincy in the wake of John Tavares’ free-agent departure to Toronto, and Lamoriello wouldn’t have done that unless he was confident with being able to get a long-term deal done. Eberle is a curious case, as he likely would have drawn quite a bit of interest as a rental. But he will now finish up his six- year, $36 million deal and could hit the market as a 29-year-old with a deft scoring touch. Lamoriello has never been one to tip his hand — heck, he doesn’t like anyone to know he’s even sitting at the table — so it’s only business as usual by not making a deal before he has to. One of his tenets has always been to use the time you have, so why not go into the June draft and see what’s out there — say, like gauging if the affection for Blue Jackets winger Artemi Panarin is mutual, then trying to figure out how to get the pending free agent to Long Island. For all the success the Islanders have had this season, the plan is still focused on the future. They don’t currently have the depth from top to bottom — specially at the top — like the Capitals, who are playing in the Garden a few hours earlier on Sunday afternoon and might be able to draw ahead in points for a while, with the Isles still holding a game in hand. So there are important decisions for Lamoriello to make in figuring out how to become a perennial contender, and three of those decisions are currently playing on his top line. “I don’t think anybody is really focused on the outside and the contract negotiations,” Nelson said. “I think that’s the best part, that we’re all just playing and there hasn’t been much worry or talk about that. We just go about our business.” Same for Lamoriello. 1134171 New York Islanders

Islanders hope to get homestand back on track vs. Flyers The Islanders, who did not practice on Saturday, have lost four of six and are 8-5-2 since their combined All-Star break and bye week after going into their extended vacation on a 15-3-1 streak.

Andrew Gross March 3, 2019 12:27 AM

Simply treading water in the midst of a playoff push is a path to sinking in the standings, but despite some recent strong performances and emotional highs, that’s probably the best way to describe what the Metropolitan Division-leading Islanders are doing right now. They are 1-2-0 to begin a five-game homestand that will continue Sunday afternoon at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum against the Flyers, who are on the fringe of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The homestand concludes Tuesday night against Ottawa with the start of a home-and-home series against the trade-depleted and adrift Senators before the Flyers return to the Coliseum on Saturday. So the next four have to be considered winnable games for the Islanders, who lost to the Capitals, 3-1, on Friday night. The defending Stanley Cup champions scored all of their goals in the third period and matched the Islanders’ 81 points in the standings. (The Isles have a game in hand.) The Islanders, who did not practice on Saturday, have lost four of six. They are 8-5-2 since their combined All-Star break and bye week after going into their extended vacation on a 15-3-1 streak. “We’ve got to get back to where we were for the first 40 minutes [Friday] and all 60 the night before,” said Anders Lee, referring to Thursday night’s stirring 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in John Tavares’ first return since leaving via free agency. “We have a game in hand here [on the Capitals], let’s take advantage of it. Reset and figure it out. These games coming up are too important to really sulk and be ticked off.” The Islanders went 1-1-1 on their Western Canada trip just before this homestand, with dud performances at Calgary and Edmonton preceding a full-effort 4-0 win in Vancouver. The homestand opened with a 3-1 loss to the Flames, who again outskated the Islanders. “We weren’t very good out West,” Lee said. “The Calgary game, they played us really hard. We responded well against Toronto and we played another great team [Friday]. It’s a combination of the lack of that top-end consistency we’ve had and playing really good teams.” When the Islanders are not playing at their best, they struggle with turnovers and defensive-zone breakouts. Their power play is 0-for-8 over the last four games, and the work of the special teams typically determines success in the postseason. “We had a tough time at certain points sustaining offensive- zone pressure,” right wing Josh Bailey said. “Philadelphia is a desperate team. I’m sure they’re going to come with their ‘A’ game and we’ve got to make sure we bring ours.” President and general manager Lou Lamoriello certainly investigated bringing in a top-end scoring forward who could bolster the power play, but he ultimately decided not to mortgage too much of the future by trading away valuable assets and draft picks. Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz have a strong belief in the core chemistry of the group, and the Islanders stood pat at last Monday’s trade deadline. The players saw it as the intended vote of confidence. But with each game intensifying as the regular season nears its end, they now must raise their performances. The Islanders have 18 games remaining and eight of their last 12 are on the road, including the season finale at Washington on April 6. “It starts with effort and the details,” said Trotz, who needs one victory to become the fourth coach in NHL history to reach 800. “Our focus just has to be the next game. If it comes down to the last game of the season for placing, it is what it is. It’s a situation where you’re getting ready for the playoffs.” Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134172 New York Islanders The Islanders took Barzal with the 16th overall pick in 2015, and he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season. He has 39 goals and 98 assists in 148 career games. Islanders' Anthony Beauvillier still a work in progress after 200 career Beauvillier was the Islanders’ other first-round pick in 2015. They NHL games selected the 5-11 native of Quebec 28th overall. He has 45 goals and 37 After contributing nine goals and 15 assists in 66 games as a rookie, assists to show for his 200 games. Beauvillier flashed more promise last season but has only 22 points in 63 The milestone game meant something to him. games this season. “Yeah, that’s pretty cool, such a young age,” Beauvillier said. “It feels like yesterday I was playing my first game. It’s been awesome, my three Brian Heyman seasons here. I mean, an unbelievable room. A great group of guys. They made me feel like I was part of the group my first day of training March 2, 2019 6:32 PM camp. So I’m really thankful for that. It’s been really fun.” While he has been searching for consistency, his much-improved team suddenly is, too. The Islanders — who fell into a first-place tie with the Anthony Beauvillier had his chance to make a memory in this milestone Capitals atop the Metropolitan Division on Friday night, although they do game. have a game in hand on Washington — are trying to nail down their first playoff berth since 2016 as well as the division title. They’re 37-20-7 with The puck was right there on the fast-moving left wing’s stick, not far from 18 games left, but they’re 2-3-1 in their last six as they head into the front of the Capitals’ net in the third period Friday night at NYCB Sunday’s game against the Flyers at the Coliseum. Live’s Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders were searching for the tying goal. Beauvillier’s forecast calls for clearing skies. But then it all went wrong. Braden Holtby kicked out his right pad to stop the shot and prevent it from becoming a 2-2 game, and Beauvillier ended “The sun’s been bright all season,” he said. “It’s good to see some up plowing into him and getting penalized for goalie interference. adversity right now. We have some tough games coming up. We have a good-character team, so we’re going to bounce back and everything’s Not exactly a dream-come-true sequence in the Islanders’ 3-1 loss. going to be well.” “I’m going to have nightmares over that one tonight,” Beauvillier said of Anthony Beauvillier the missed opportunity after the crowd of reporters in the locker room had thinned to one. No. 18 LW Beauvillier’s NHL career here had just turned 200 games old. He’s only Born: June 8, 1997 in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec (age 21) 21 years old. Draft: 2015 by Islanders, first round (28th overall) So where is the former first-round pick in his development after 200 tries at this? He’s still a promising work in progress. NHL numbers “I’m still young, right?” Beauvillier said. “I’m still learning. [I’ve had] three 200 games coaches in three different years, so a different voice every time. I’m a sponge here. I’m just trying to learn from everyone, different coaches, 45 goals different tips that they can give me. 37 assists “I’m still trying to find, I wouldn’t say my identity; I know what I have to do 82 points to have success, but just consistently. I’ve got to find my [consistency], I mean, to bring it for years and years.” 3 plus/minus After contributing nine goals and 15 assists in 66 games as a rookie, Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.03.2019 Beauvillier flashed more promise last season. There was the career-best five-game goal streak. There were the four two-goal games. There were the 21 goals and 15 assists in 71 games. But he has 15 goals and only seven assists in 63 games this season. “He’s a young guy that is still looking for that day-in and day-out game,” coach Barry Trotz said. There have been productive stretches. In November, he had five goals and two assists in a five-game span, including his first career hat trick and an assist in a 7-5 win over the Rangers at Barclays Center. In December, he had four goals in another five-game span. That was followed by a quiet stretch of two goals and five assists in 27 games. In the four games since, he has matched that two-goal production. Trotz likes when Beauvillier puts his speed and sharp offensive instincts on display. He said that’s when he is “a really solid player.” “The biggest [area] where Beau is effective, it doesn’t matter what line he is on, is using his speed to pressure people, using his speed in the right areas, using his speed and quickness even in the defensive zone, even wall play,” Trotz said. “He’s got the gift of good quickness and speed and got an ability to score, and [it’s] just being consistent in those areas, playing with that asset he has and using it to his advantage he has.” Trotz dropped him from the second to the third line for 10 games before bumping him back up to the second line with Josh Bailey and center Mathew Barzal for the last two. Bailey and Barzal assisted on Beauvillier’s goal in the 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday night in Uniondale. “We’ve played together quite a bit,” Beauvillier said. “I thought we’ve had two good games. We had some good chances. [Thursday] we had a strong game. We’re really good when we create loose pucks. We’re good on the forechecks. That’s how we have success, and that’s what we have to do.” 1134173 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 03.03.2019

Brett Howden’s return leaves Rangers with lineup dilemma

Larry Brooks March 2, 2019 | 8:34PM

Brett Howden, who has missed the past 14 games since sustaining a sprained MCL during the first period of the Blueshirts’ Jan. 29 match against the Flyers, seems ready to rejoin the lineup. But where and at the expense of whom are decisions David Quinn must make if the 20-year-old freshman (21 at the end of the month) is inserted into Sunday afternoon’s Garden fray against the Capitals. Does Brendan Smith, the defenseman who has done a credible job playing fourth-line left wing, come out? Does Connor Brickley, who has brought jam to his role as a fourth-line right wing, take a seat? Does Howden knock either Boo Nieves or Lias Andersson out of the middle and onto the wing? Or does Howden shift to the wing, where — for the one and only time this season — he had lined up in that contest against the Flyers, following a four-game stay on the fourth line centering Pavel Buchnevich and Cody McLeod? How much of this is about constructing the strongest lineup to defeat Washington, and how much of this is about getting a look at people and potential combinations for 2019-20? Even with Kevin Hayes off to Winnipeg, the Blueshirts have more natural centers who they can jam into the middle, and that is not counting Filip Chytil, who is slated to watch in street clothes for the third straight game. Howden, whose encouraging start centering the third line backed up his impressive training camp, rookie tournament and prospect camp performances, appeared to have hit the proverbial rookie wall — and hard — by the end of November. After recording 12 points (4-8) in his first 20 games while a staple on the second power-play and penalty-kill rotation, Howden recorded three points — all assists — over his final 28 games, even while maintaining his specialty-team roles for most of that stretch. His peripheral numbers were even more ghastly — 38.8 percent Corsi, 37.9 shot share, minus-12 (8/20) rating — over the period beginning Nov. 21 for a team whose overall underlying stats are generally the worst in the league. There is no doubt, however, management believes Howden will be part of the core of the next generation. The questions only concern his spot in the lineup for the immediate future. If the Rangers line up with Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Strome one-two down the middle — remember, Strome played 17 of his first 22 games on the wing following his Nov. 16 acquisition from Edmonton, and six of them on Howden’s right — then who is three? Is it Andersson, who has skated between Brendan Lemieux and Buchnevich the last two games, or is it Howden? And does the other move to the middle of the fourth line, thus displacing Nieves, whose work the last month has been the most encouraging of his brief career, or go to the wing? The Rangers were off on Saturday, so no information regarding the identity of Sunday’s netminder, either, though it would seem more likely than not that Alex Georgiev will get the call against the Caps. The Blueshirts have split the last 12 games between Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist, whose 37th birthday on Saturday was presumably a less hectic one than his 36th, which he marked with a 50-save, 3-1 victory in Calgary two nights after stopping 50 shots in a 6-5 victory in Vancouver. Those twin performances made Lundqvist the first goaltender to make 50 saves in consecutive games since the NHL started tracking the statistic in 1955. Lundqvist, in nets for Friday’s 4-2 empty-net abetted defeat to Montreal, is 1-5-2 with a 3.14 GAA and .907 save percentage over his past eight starts. February represented the first full, non-April month of the Swede’s 14-year career in which he won only one game (1-4-2). Lundqvist played one game in February 2015 and two games that March as he recovered from the serious throat injury he sustained that season. Georgiev is 4-1-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .915 save percentage over his past six outings. 1134174 New York Rangers

Rangers' Brendan Lemieux cares about wins, not points An agitating forward like his father, Lemieux has played with a ton of energy for the Rangers, driving to the net, annoying opponents and lifting his teammates.

Colin Stephenson March 3, 2019 12:48 AM

The difference between where he came from and where he is now couldn’t have been more apparent in the few days Brendan Lemieux has spent with the Rangers. In Winnipeg, the 22-year-old forward was used to playing a little bit and winning a lot; in New York, things have flipped completely around. Lemieux scored his first goal as a Ranger in the closing minutes of Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at the Garden, but in his two games with his new team, all the 6-1, 210-pound winger has experienced is two good efforts against a couple of playoff teams, two losses and one point. For Lemieux, whose father, Claude Lemieux, won four Stanley Cup rings in a 19-year NHL career, that’s not quite enough. “Meaningless,’’ he said when asked how it was to score his first goal in a Rangers uniform. “It doesn’t mean anything, you know? It’s obviously cool to get one, but it’s about winning hockey games. It’s not about individual anything.’’ Lemieux’s 10th goal cut the Rangers’ deficit to 3-2 with 2:32 left in regulation. It gave the Rangers a chance against the Canadiens, but Joel Armia scored into an empty net with 36.7 seconds left to complete a hat trick and finish the Rangers. “Too little, too late there,’’ Rangers coach David Quinn said of Lemieux’s goal. “If we get [it] earlier, maybe we were going to be able to ride the momentum.’’ Lemieux has made quite an impression in his first two games with the team. An agitating forward like his father, he has played with a ton of energy for the Rangers, driving to the net, annoying opponents and lifting his teammates. He has played nearly double the amount of time he did for Winnipeg (an average of 13:56, compared to an average of 7:25 for the Jets), has gotten a roughing penalty in each game and was assessed a 10-minute misconduct after the empty-net goal. He certainly has made his presence felt. “He works hard and he’s got good stick skills — there’s a lot there,’’ Quinn said. “I’m certainly glad we traded for him.’’ Before the game, Quinn was asked what he had noticed about Lemieux in the short time he had been around. “I think what you see on the ice is also what you see off the ice,’’ Quinn said. “He’s energetic, he’s got a presence about him, he’s not quiet. And that’s what you want. This is a game of passion, and emotion, and enthusiasm, and in the short time he’s been here, he’s given us all that on and off the ice.’’ After the game, as a glum locker room emptied, Lemieux lingered, sitting next to Mika Zibanejad, engaged in what appeared to be a deep, serious discussion. What they were talking about was unknown, but it probably wasn’t about places to eat after the game. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.03.2019

1134175 Ottawa Senators Before stepping in front of the cameras and microphones following Saturday’s morning skate, Crawford muttered, “first time I’ve done one of these in awhile.” Senators fade away in Marc Crawford's debut as Senators head coach For the next eight minutes, he went about explaining how things might be just a little bit different than they were under Boucher. Ken Warren From a lineup perspective, the format of playing 11 forwards and seven defencemen – unpopular for both the fans and the rearguards in the March 2, 2019 10:48 PM EST lineup – is history. “Unless we have injury problems, we will be going 12-6 the rest of the way,” Crawford said. TAMPA – Welcome back to head coaching life, Marc Crawford. While the club is carrying seven defencemen, he says there will be some Your first assignment as boss of the NHL’s 31st placed squad? kind of rotation to make sure every one gets a regular chance to play. Christian Wolanin sat out Saturday, but Crawford said he “guaranteed” How about a game against the unquestioned class of the league, the that all seven would see ice time this weekend. That means Wolanin will Tampa Bay Lightning? be back Sunday against the Florida Panthers. Crawford also made it How about trying to match up a talent-starved lineup against a franchise clear that Mark Borowiecki is the “leader” on the blueline. that includes likely Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, LINEUP SHUFFLE likely Art Ross Trophy winning Nikita Kucherov and reigning Norris Trophy winning defenceman Viktor Hedman? In a novel twist, Pageau was moved to right wing from centre on Saturday, playing on a line with rookies Brady Tkachuk and Colin White. Considering all that, it ended up pretty much the way you might have expected, with the Lightning gradually pulling away en route to a 5-1 The Senators aren’t expecting Pageau to become Mark Stone, who victory. In the process, the Lightning became the fastest team in 23 years spent most of the season with Tkachuk and White before being traded to to hit the 50-win mark. the Vegas Golden Knights. But they are asking Pageau to lend his experience to help mentor the rookies. Meanwhile, the Senators, an exercise in chaos for the past week, are aiming to find at least some sense of late-season direction after Crawford “They are full of energy, they’re always smiling and that’s contagious,” suddenly replaced the fired Guy Boucher on Friday. They’ve now lost said Pageau. “I’m glad to have a chance to play with them. They’re great seven in a row. players who work hard.” Speaking of working hard, Pageau took issue with suggestions the players didn’t put out maximum effort under “I certainly didn’t like the number of puck battles that we lost,” said Boucher. “It’s always easy to say that, but I think everyone was working Crawford. “The NHL is a league where, if you win puck battles, usually hard. (Now), we really want to work for each other, that’s the big thing. you win the game. And they were so far ahead of us in terms of their We’ve got to be supportive to the young guys.” ability to win puck battles. It’s something that I don’t think is all about skill. It’s about commitment. We certainly have a ways to go to be committed IN PRAISE OF KELLY to those things.” Chris Kelly took his first strides into the coaching ranks Saturday, on the The try was certainly there from the Senators early – they outshot the ice for the morning skate and behind the bench against the Lightning. Lightning 16-9 in the first period – but ultimately, the colossal skill gap “It’s a good breath of fresh air for us,” Crawford said of Kelly, who was between the organizations was on full display. previously a developmental coach in the organization. “He brings a wealth of experience. He was very recently a player and the players can Hedman and Ryan McDonagh staked the Lightning to an early 2-0 lead. really relate to Chris, both the forwards and the defencemen.” When Anthony Duclair replied for the Senators – his second goal in four Kelly’s 17-year pro career ended last season, when he played with the games since being acquired in the Matt Duchene trade – Vasilevskiy Belleville Senators, Canada’s Olympic team and the Anaheim Ducks. closed the door to close out the period. As a coach, he will work primarily with the forwards. Rob Cookson will After Erik Cernak restored the two-goal Lightning lead early in the second move from handling forwards to defence, which had been Crawford’s period, Vasilevskiy was there again, stoning Bobby Ryan on a second focus. period penalty shot attempt. The coaching shake-up won’t change the responsibilities of assistants “He made a good save,” said Ryan of the left pad stop. “I actually did Marty Raymond and Pierre Groulx. They will remain in the press box what I wanted to do with the puck, but I just missed my mark a little bit. during games. That’s my bread and butter there. If I score there, it changes the complexion of the game a little bit. That one is on me.” Senators interim head coach Marc Crawford makes his bench boss debut on Saturday night against the Lightning in Tampa. (AP PHOTO) Before the second was out, Kucherov padded the lead to 4-1, finding a hole between the legs of the screened Anderson. NOT BUYING THE SAD SONG The Amalie Arena ice was tilted in the third period as the Lightning kept Lightning coach Jon Cooper has something in common with The Eagles’ coming and coming. Joe Walsh, who sang, “I can’t complain, but sometimes I still do.” Mikhail Sergachev capped the scoring in third period as the Lightning When Cooper stepped into the Amalie Arena from the sunshine and palm received four goals from defencemen. trees Saturday morning, he was asked about all the positives surrounding the franchise. “At times when we did get hemmed in (our zone) and they get that defence very active in the cycle game, there were some times when it “The month (of February) ended sour in the sense of how that Boston looked overwhelming,” Ryan said. game went,” Cooper said of Tampa’s 4-1 loss to Boston Thursday, which ended a 10-game winning streak. “It was an awakening for us about As a team, the Senators have scored six goals total in their past six where we need to be and reminders can be good at this time of year.” games. Sure. The rest of the NHL feels your pain, Mr. Cooper. As a rule, NHL players are a respectful lot and they do their best to stay humble. As such, the Lightning came into the contest suggesting that the Try this on for size: Before the puck dropped against the Senators, the Senators were a “dangerous” and “scary” opponent because they wanted Lightning led the league in goals scored, wins (both at home and on the to impress their new coach and because many players are fighting for road) and were first on the power play. They were second in penalty jobs next season. killing and tied for fourth in goals against. “A lot of teams are using us as a measuring stick,” said Hedman. “There They had only lost consecutive games twice, including back-to-back are no easy games in this league.” defeats when they picked up points for overtime losses. But in some games, like Saturday, it’s easy to see the difference that top In February, the Lightning went 12-1-2, the only blemish being talent can make. Thursday’s loss to the Bruins. GOODBYE, 11-7 “When you take a step back and look at the month, it was a good month,” Cooper said. You don’t say. STAYING MOTIVATED The biggest issue facing the Lightning could be complacency. They’ve all but locked up the overall points standings, 13 ahead of Calgary and 17 up on Boston before Saturday’s action. “We want to improve really in all aspects of our game,” said captain Steven Stamkos. “We want to make sure we’re coming in down the stretch and into the playoffs playing the right brand of hockey. It has been a fun year, a great year for the organization. We just want to be making sure we’re staying on top of things and not letting things slip.” Yes, life’s been good so far this season. KEN WARREN’S TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS V is for Vezina and Vasilevskiy: The Senators were in this one for awhile, but the Lightning goaltender prevented any kind of rally, with key saves at key times, including a second period penalty shot save off Bobby Ryan. Duclair keeps scoring: Anthony Duclair finished off a pass from fellow newcomer Brian Gibbons in the first period to score his second goal in four games since joining the Senators from Columbus in the Matt Duchene trade. Offence from the defence: Nikita Kucherov scored once, but the rest of the Lightning’s scoring damage came from the back end, with defencemen Viktor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Erik Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev scoring. No fun in the Florida sun: The Senators flew out of Tampa immediately following Saturday’s loss, preparing for Sunday’s late afternoon contest against the Florida Panthers. Belleville keeps rolling: While the big-league Senators are in desperate losing straits, the Belleville Senators are rolling. Following Saturday’s 4-0 win over Manitoba – Vitaly Abramov and Drake Batherson scored – they’ve picked up at least a point in 17 consecutive games (12-0-5).

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134176 Ottawa Senators Evgenii Dadonov – Vincent Trocheck – Jayce Hawryluk Frank Vatrano – Riley Sheahan – Troy Brouwer GAME DAY: Senators versus Panthers Jamie McGinn – Henrik Borgstrom – Dryden Hunt Defence Ken Warren Michael Matheson – Aaron Ekblad March 2, 2019 8:28 PM EST Keith Yandle – Mark Pysyk Ian McCoshen – Josh Brown Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers Goaltenders Sunday, 5 p.m., BB&T Center Roberto Luongo TV: City, TSN5, Samuel Montembeault Radio: TSN 1200-AM, Unique 94,5-FM Injured FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Derek Mackenzie, Colton Sceviour, Mackenzie Weegar, James Reimer 1. Shorthanded challenge THE BIG MATCH-UP One night after facing the league’s best power play in Tampa, the Mike Hoffman versus Cody Ceci Senators run smack dab into the Panthers, who hold down the NHL’s number two spot in man advantage situations. The ex-Senator Hoffman has hit the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career, but at the same time, his defensive game remains a struggle. 2. Making the most of opportunity Hoffman sports an ugly plus/minus of minus 22, part of a disappointing Panthers squad that will miss the playoffs yet again. For pending free agents Anthony Duclair, Oscar Lindberg and Brian Gibbons, every game is an audition for a contract next season — Ceci, meanwhile, will most likely be put into a defensive match-up whether it’s in Ottawa or somewhere else. against his former teammate, aiming to close out his disappointing season on a positive note. 3. Impressing the new boss Ceci’s plus/minus of minus 24 is not all about his own play, but also After making his Senators head coaching debut Saturday in Tampa, about those who have been around him all season. Marc Crawford will continue to experiment in giving the club’s young players opportunities to shine. 4. Listlessness not accepted Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.03.2019 The last time here in November, the Senators fell flat, showing little energy in a lopsided loss to Florida that came on the heels of a morale- boosting win over Tampa. Given the new coach circumstances, a better effort is expected. 5. Exercising patience The Senators realize they can’t outgun anyone on a skill basis, so it is about teamwork and waiting for opportunities that come with a collective approach. There could be sloppiness on both sides, given that the Senators and Panthers both played on Saturday. SPECIAL TEAMS Senators: PP: 20.9 (14th), PK: 77.9 (24th) Panthers: PP: 26.8 (2nd), PK: 81.8 (7th) SENATORS GAME DAY LINES Forward Brady Tkachuk – Colin White – Jean-Gabriel Pageau Rudolfs Balcers – Chris Tierney – Bobby Ryan Magnus Paajarvi – Zack Smith – Oscar Lindberg Mikkel Boedker – Brian Gibbons – Anthony Duclair Defence Thomas Chabot-Dylan DeMelo Mark Borowiecki-Cody Ceci Ben Harpur-Christian Jaros Goalies Craig Anderson Anders Nilsson Injured None PANTHERS GAME DAY LINES Forward Jonathan Huberdeau – Aleksander Barkov – Mike Hoffman 1134177 Philadelphia Flyers Sam Carchidi Surging Flyers have difficult challenges this week, starting with surprising Islanders Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.03.2019 by Sam Carchidi,

Surging Flyers have difficult challenges this week, starting with surprising Islanders Fighting for their playoff lives, the Flyers have a difficult week coming up — two road games against the Metropolitan-leading New York Islanders, sandwiched around a home matchup against Washington, the defending Stanley Cup champion. Hey, no one said earning a playoff spot was going to be easy, especially when you dig yourself into a 16-point hole. “We have nobody to blame but ourselves,” right winger Jake Voracek said the other day about the long, exhausting climb toward a possible postseason berth. The Flyers have been climbing, inch by inch, over the last seven weeks and were five points out of a playoff spot pending Saturday’s night games. The Flyers, who are on a 15-3-2 run, have 17 games left. “It’s just going to get tougher and tougher till the end of the year,” said center Sean Couturier, who leads the Flyers with 26 goals. “It’s that time of year where there’s not a lot of room [on the ice] and everyone needs to win. ... We’re a little behind and we have to keep pushing and keep battling and finding ways to win.” In the matchup at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Flyers (31-26-8) face perhaps the NHL’s most surprising team, the Islanders (37-20-7), who are tied with Washington in points but are considered the Metro leader because they have a game in hand. Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon will return to Nassau Coliseum and direct a team for the first time since he was fired as the Islanders’ coach early in the 2010-11 season. “Oh, yeah, I’m expecting a video montage,” Gordon cracked. He paused. “Well, I just hope they don’t boo me, right?" he said. "No snakes.” Isles fans threw fake snakes at Toronto star John Tavares when he returned to face his former team Thursday. Scott Gordon hasn't returned to the Nassau Coliseum since he was fired as Islanders coach during the 2010-11 season. Scott Gordon hasn't returned to the Nassau Coliseum since he was fired as Islanders coach during the 2010-11 season. Under new coach Barry Trotz -- who is aiming for his 800th career win Sunday -- the Islanders have made a startling turnaround despite losing Tavares as a free agent. A year ago, the Isles were last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.57). Now they’re No. 1 (2.31). Goalie Thomas Greiss (2.25, .928) has rebounded from a miserable season (3.82, .892). and Robin Lehner (2.07, .931), a free agent who signed to a bargain-basement one-year, $1.5-million deal, has been superb. The Islanders, who finished seventh in the eight-team Metro last season, have been getting balanced scoring. Eight of their players have between 13 and 22 goals, including former Flyer Val Filppula (13). “This will be a good challenge; they’ve obviously forged an identity over the course of the season,” said Gordon, who is expected to use goalie Brian Elliott. “They don’t give up a lot.” The Isles torched Michal Neuvirth in a 6-1 win over the host Flyers on Oct. 27. The teams meet three more times. On Friday, New Jersey’s Kurtis Gabriel boarded Nolan Patrick in the first period – the Devils winger was suspended for one game by the NHL on Saturday – and the Flyers were in retaliatory mode later in their 6-3 win. Right winger Travis Konecny acknowledged that teams may look at the Flyers differently since feisty winger Wayne Simmonds has been traded. “But we’re still the same team. We still stick together,” Konecny said. “I think Simmer left a lot of that with us. He taught us young guys to stick up for our teammates.” 1134178 Philadelphia Flyers UP NEXT Flyers: At New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon Konecny, Couturier score 57 seconds apart to lead Flyers Devils: At Boston on Saturday night

By TOM CANAVAN Delaware County Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 Mar 2, 2019

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers continued their second- half playoff push with a little hustle, a little luck and of course, another new goaltender. Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier scored in a 57-second span bridging the second and third periods and the Flyers set an NHL record by using an eighth different goaltender in posting a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. "Every point is huge for us right now so we just want to keep doing our job and taking care of our business and we'll see where things stack up at the end of the year," said James van Riemsdyk, who like Konecny scored two goals. The win was the Flyers' 15th in the past 20 games (15-3-2) and moved them within five points of idle Columbus in the race for the second wild- card spot in the Eastern Conference. "It wasn't easy or pretty but found a way to win and that's all that matters," Couturier said after the Flyers got three of four points playing back-to-back games. "I don't know if fatigue was a factor, no excuses. We needed the points and found a way to get them." Cam Talbot made 30 saves in becoming the NHL record-setting eighth goaltender for the Flyers this season. "Obviously things didn't turn out the way I had hoped in Edmonton but it's nice to get a fresh start on a team that is playing extremely well right now," said Talbot, who was acquired in a trade about two weeks ago. "So I'm coming in and trying to keep my head down and not to mess with the chemistry here and try to contribute any chance I can get like tonight." Ivan Provorov also scored for the Flyers. Damon Severson and Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game. Cory Schneider made 18 saves. Kevin Rooney, who had the Flyers' go-ahead goal go off his skate, closed out the scoring with his second goal in as many games. Konecny's hustle and a little luck allowed the Flyers to take a 3-2 lead with 30 seconds left in the second period. The center outraced the Devils defense to nullify an icing, forcing Schneider to play the puck. His clearing pass, hit off Konecny's skate and then caromed off Rooney's skate into the net. "I felt like I gave one away for my teammates," Schneider said. "It was a winnable game. I thought we had control of it at the end of the second period there and between that one and the one at the start of the third, it's unacceptable to let in goals on my part." Couturier increased the lead to 4-2 when he took a drop pass from and beat Schneider 27 seconds into the final period. Provorov scored on a deflection at 6:33 and Konecny added an empty- net goal with 3:48 to play after the Devils pulled their goalie down three goals. "Unfortunately the puck went into the net for us too easily, some odd bounces," Devils coach John Hynes said. "We're not a team that can afford that and go and make up for it." Talbot, who started the night with a breakaway stop on a short-handed effort by Blake Coleman, gave up both Devils goals after giving up big rebounds in the opening 8:49 of the second period. Van Riemsdyk scored on a shot from between the circles on a power play at 12:53 of the first, and got his 19th on the season putting a blind pass from Ryan Hartman into an open net. NOTES: Devils F Kurtis Gabriel was hit with a five-minute major for boarding Nolan Patrick early in the first period. New Jersey outshot Philadelphia 4-2 during the power play. ... Flyers used the same lineup they had in Columbus on Thursday and looked sluggish early. ... Devils D Mirco Mueller, who had a scary head-first fall into the boards on Wednesday, was out with a shoulder injury. Bratt returned after missing two games with a lower-body injury. ... Philadelphia D Radko Gudas played in his 400th NHL game. ... Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon says G Carter Hart still has not practiced because of a lower-body injury. 1134179 Philadelphia Flyers

Devils' Kurtis Gabriel receives 1-game suspension from NHL for boarding Nolan Patrick

By Jordan Hall March 02, 2019 6:57 PM

Kurtis Gabriel's reckless hit on Nolan Patrick didn't fly with the Flyers. And it didn't fly with the NHL, either. The NHL's Department of Player Safety handed the Devils' forward a one-game suspension on Saturday for boarding Patrick during the first period of the Flyers' 6-3 win Friday at the Prudential Center. Frankly, the play was dirty and dangerous. NBC Sports Philadelphia Flyers analyst Chris Therien called it the "dumbest hit" he's seen all year. On the broadcast, color analyst let out a "what is that?" Since the 25-year-old Gabriel has played only 30 games in his NHL career and has no history of fines or suspensions, he was given just one game. If not for that, the punishment could have been much worse. Here was the review from the NHL's Department of Player Safety: It is important to note that while Patrick does turn to face the boards to compete for the puck, this is not a case of a player turning immediately prior to contact in a way that turns a legal hit into an illegal one. Although Patrick does shift slightly as Gabriel approaches, he is in a defenseless position before Gabriel initiates the check and was not in a position to recognize that Gabriel was approaching for contact and brace himself appropriately. Having entered the zone from across the ice, Gabriel has plenty of time and space to make a better decision. The onus is on Gabriel to deliver this hit in a legal fashion, minimize the force of the contact or avoid this hit entirely, which he fails to do. Tension only boiled from there as Travis Konecny came to Patrick's defense throughout the game and was seen shouting at Damon Severson and Sami Vatanen in the penalty box during the third period after the Devils' two defensemen tried scuffling with the Flyers' forwards. "It was just a matter of trying to protect ourselves," Konecny said after the game (see story). "Patty is one of my good buddies and I'm going to stick up for him any time someone is messing with him. That's what it is. Everyone's just sticking together and we're a close team. It's not going to fly with us." It's probably good that the Flyers and Devils don't meet again this season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134180 Philadelphia Flyers Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019

Travis Konecny defends Nolan Patrick, shows Flyers won't be picked on without Wayne Simmonds

By John Boruk March 02, 2019 7:00 AM

NEWARK, N.J. — It was just a matter of time before this new-look Flyers team was forced to take matters into the hands of someone else not named Wayne Simmonds. To have the fortitude to serve and protect in a way Simmonds was called upon to do so many times before. Friday night's 6-3 win over the Devils proved to be that first game in which the team’s mettle would be tested (see observations). “Simmer is one of those guys you don’t want to mess with,” Travis Konecny said. “Teams probably look at us differently. We’re still the same team in that we stick together. I think Simmer left a lot of that with us and taught us young guys to stick up for your teammates.” You’ll have to forgive the Devils, more notably fourth-line winger Kurtis Gabriel, if he somehow mistook the Prudential Center for one of Newark’s poorly lit alleyways. Five minutes into the game, Gabriel unloaded an all-out assault into Nolan Patrick, checking from behind and launching him face-first into the glass. NBC Sports Philadelphia Flyers analyst Chris Therien called it "the dumbest hit I’ve seen all year." It was certainly one of the most irresponsible ones. A hit so flagrant that it resulted in a five-minute major, forcing Patrick to leave the game and head into the dressing room as part of the NHL’s concussion protocol. “That’s obviously the way that guy plays," Patrick said. "He’s in the lineup for that reason, to do that I guess. The best way to respond is to beat them, which we did." One could make the convincing argument that Gabriel should have received a match penalty and been immediately ejected from the game, but he was allowed to return after serving the five minutes. Once the Flyers scored two quick goals in the third period, it was time to settle another score, and that’s when Patrick went into retaliation mode and delivered an open-ice shoulder-to-chest hit that leveled Gabriel, but didn’t appear to be contact directed at the head. The refs missed this late and dangerous hit behind the play by Nolan Patrick on Kurtis Gabriel pic.twitter.com/QcYCkd9viO — Devils Red Alert (@DevilsRedAlert) March 2, 2019 Of course, as you might expect, Devils coach John Hynes saw Patrick’s retaliatory hit differently than the guys on the other bench. “I’m sure it’s going to get reviewed," Hynes said. "Blindside hit to the head." Not long after Patrick’s third-period hit, the tension grew and erupted in Patrick, Gabriel, Sami Vatanen and Damon Severson getting hauled off for roughing penalties, the fallout of a Konecny crosscheck. “If you look at tonight, there were a few scrums. Guys stuck up for one another,” Sean Couturier said. “There were five-man units in there as battles. It’s good to see and it’s what good teams do. We've got to keep doing that.” From a crosscheck to a gut-check moment for the Flyers, who were tested for the first time since trading their emotional and spirited leader Simmonds, who would have cleaned up the mess by dropping the gloves or doing what he needed to do to ensure order was restored. Teams may look at the Flyers differently, but Friday night, they showed there's still a price to be paid (see highlights). “It was just a matter of trying to protect ourselves,” Konecny said. “Patty is one of my good buddies and I’m going to stick up for him any time someone is messing with him. That’s what it is. Everyone’s just sticking together and we’re a close team. It’s not going to fly with us.”

1134181 Philadelphia Flyers

Evaluating Devils prospects in loss to Flyers | Kevin Rooney strong again; Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian drive play

By Chris Ryan

As the Devils play out the 2018-19 schedule, a handful players and prospects are getting the chance to make an impression for the season and beyond. After each game, NJ Advance Media will break down the performance of each of those players. The Devils dropped their season finale against the Flyers, falling 6-3 on Friday at Prudential Center in Newark. Here's a look at what proved to be a strong night from Kevin Rooney, plus a newly formed line of Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian and Nick Lappin. Forward Kurtis Gabriel, who left early to go through the concussion protocol, will also have a hearing with NHL player safety on Saturday for his boarding penalty against Flyers forward Nolan Patrick. Process over results As the Devils have turned over their roster over the past month, they've typically been on the wrong side of the possession game, generally allowing more shot attempts and scoring chances than they generated. That was far from the case on Friday, with the Devils leading 49-26 in shot attempts at 5-on-5 and 23-17 in scoring chances. A few bounces and goals they wanted back were enough to give the Flyers the advantage. "The first 40 (minutes) was good. Just the first couple minutes of the third, we were a little slow to start there and kind of fell behind there," forward Kevin Rooney said. "I’m still young in this league, but that’s kind of what I’m learning, the margin for error is so slim." One of those bounces came at the very end of the second period, when goalie Cory Schneider came out to poke a puck away from an oncoming rush. It ended up hitting Flyers forward Travis Konecny before deflected to the middle and hit Rooney's skate, causing it to slide into the net with Schneider still out of the crease. Going back to the start of the season and even the 2017-18 campaign, Devils coach John Hynes has consistently preached process over results, saying if the team is playing the right way, wins will typically follow. Friday just happened to be a game where the right effort and style of play didn't lead to the end result. "When you can see it, you can feel, you see what it is. Unfortunately, we didn’t put enough in the net," Hynes said. "We’re going to continue to work at that. We have to have more of a shot mentality, get in and around the net a little bit better. I thought our guys did a pretty good job on that. Unfortunately the puck went in the net for us too easily and some odd bounces in tonight’s game. We’re not a team that can afford that and/or make up for it. Take two or three of those out, it’s a different ball game." When the Devils weren't always generating a ton of possession in recent weeks, they were able to win games behind strong goaltending from Cory Schneider. Schneider made some tough saves Friday, but he allowed a savable Sean Couturier shot to slip through 27 seconds into the third period to put the Flyers up, 4-2. The goalie has, for the most part, been able to avoid leaky goals in recent weeks, and Hynes is confident he'll rebound in his next start. "He's a competitor and a guy that I know he can be better. We'd like him to be better," Hynes said. "He's going to get back in the net real quick."

Star Ledger LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134182 Philadelphia Flyers The 29-year-old hasn’t exactly had a dream first season back in Philadelphia. He was injured in the second game of the season, missed six weeks and then looked hampered for at least the first month following Flyers 6, Devils 3: 10 things we learned from a necessary victory his return. A goal-scoring surge in mid-to-late January was soon overshadowed by the struggles of JvR’s regular 5-on-5 line (with Giroux and Konecny) throughout February. By advanced metrics, he’s been the worst play-driving forward on the team. By Charlie O'Connor Yet the goals are still coming. Van Riemsdyk’s performance on Friday Mar 2, 2019 gave him 19 tallies on the year — a 31-goal pace over 82 games. Even accounting for the games that he can’t get back, JvR is tracking to finish

with a perfectly acceptable 25 goals, assuming he continues to score at The Philadelphia Flyers missed a golden opportunity on Thursday to cut his current season rate and doesn’t miss any more games. That’s not too into their playoff deficit by falling to the Columbus Blue Jackets in shabby at all. heartbreaking, overtime fashion. Despite Friday’s contest being the Ideally, van Riemsdyk would be driving play and scoring goals, of course, second night of a back-to-back and after late-evening travel, they had no like he did in Toronto. But with the Maple Leafs, JvR had the benefit of intention of doing the same against the lowly New Jersey Devils. receiving sheltered third-line minutes, while still playing with creative, Shaking off a slow start with the aid of two James van Riemsdyk first- pass-first teammates like Tyler Bozak and Mitch Marner. Perhaps the period goals, the Flyers cruised to a 6-3 victory in Newark, N.J., over Flyers just don’t have the depth to deploy him in his ideal role, as they’ve their rival. New Jersey briefly made a game of it, tying the score in the been forced to either give him top-line minutes (against higher-end second period, but a fluke goal by Travis Konecny with time running competition) with good linemates or sheltered minutes with less skilled down in the middle stanza gave Philadelphia back a lead that they would ones. It’s a problem that could be solved this offseason if the Flyers not relinquish. Sean Couturier and Ivan Provorov also scored for the make major additions to the roster up front. But in the here and now, at Flyers, who moved to within five points of the final Wild Card spot in the the very least, van Riemsdyk is continuing to score goals at the rate Eastern Conference, even though the Blue Jackets retain two games in expected of him. And as last night showed, those integral contributions hand over Philadelphia. have the ability to turn games. Cam Talbot earned the victory in his first appearance as a Flyer, stopping 3: Talbot looks rusty, but delivers decent showing in Flyers debut 30 of 33 shots. At the other side of the rink, Cory Schneider took the loss, It likely was too much to expect that Cam Talbot would go out on Friday allowing five goals on 23 Philadelphia shots. night in his first start as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and deliver Note: This article will reference advanced hockey stats. If you’re looking a standout showing. After all, Talbot hadn’t appeared in an NHL game in to better understand any of the referenced metrics, please read this nearly a month — his last start came on Feb. 9, 20 days prior. Some rust primer, which explains the concepts behind them. was inevitable. 1: Flyers find a way to win a game they had to have That said, Talbot actually stormed out of the gate fairly sharp, even if the skaters in front of him did not. He faced multiple shots during the five- The Flyers do not have an easy schedule the rest of the way. Entering minute Flyers power play, with his biggest being a shorthanded-save Friday night’s contest, they had 18 games remaining, including three beauty on Blake Coleman that kept the game scoreless. But the second matchups apiece against the defending Stanley Cup champion period was less impressive, as Talbot began to have issues with Washington Capitals and the Metropolitan Division-leading New York rebounds that led to two Devils goals, even if he received little help from Islanders, two battles with both the always-dangerous Toronto Maple his defensemen with clearing those loose pucks out of dangerous areas. Leafs and the surging Carolina Hurricanes, and then one-offs versus Still, particularly on the goal scored by Damon Severson, Talbot could Montreal, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Dallas. That’s 14 of their final 18 have done a better job directing the puck away from the slot area. against legitimately good-to-great clubs. Luckily for Talbot, he received enough goal support in the early portion of Try as they might, they’re not going to win all of those games; the the third period to sap any real drama out of the game, regardless of his competition is too tough. Therefore, in order to squeeze out the 30-ish sharpness. By advanced metrics, he ended up actually having a standings points they’ll need to have a real shot at the postseason, passable game — the Devils racked up 3.07 Expected Goals and scored Philadelphia can’t afford to drop any of the “easy” games on their slate. three real ones, essentially making it an average performance by Talbot. Friday night’s bout with the New Jersey Devils was the first of them. Considering his long layoff, that’s not a bad debut. Granted, it wasn’t an ideal schedule-related situation, with the Flyers playing on Thursday and the Devils having that night off. But this isn’t the 4: Devils try to bully Simmonds-less Flyers, don’t quite succeed same New Jersey club that entered 2018-19 with playoff aspirations. Generally speaking, I’m not one to buy the supposed essential Taylor Hall is hurt, and he isn’t the only one. Due to multiple injuries, at intimidation factor of certain players, particularly when it comes to least half of the Devils’ lineup looks like an AHL roster. In addition, enforcers whose only job is to fight and do little else. The idea that starting goalie Schneider — once a high-end netminder — entered the Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Ryan Reaves, for example, would deter other game with a sub-0.900 save percentage. Travel and fatigue teams from taking runs at Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin always struck notwithstanding, this was a game that the Flyers simply had to win. me as ridiculous. But there is a degree of deterrence with having a tough To be sure, Philadelphia didn’t bring its A-game. The first 10 minutes guy in the lineup — opposing players don’t want to get punched in the were Keystone Cops-esque, and hilariously, the first period was face — and it would seem to reach maximum usefulness when said nonetheless the Flyers’ best when it came to advanced metrics. They tough guy can also skate and pass and score. In other words, when that finished with a 40.31 percent score-adjusted Corsi and were nearly tough guy is named Wayne Simmonds. doubled up in xG at 5-on-5. This game could have easily ended in a loss. Head coach Scott Gordon noted after last Saturday’s Stadium Series Yet the Flyers made enough good plays in the midst of all of the bad to game that Simmonds’ presence made everyone on his team “braver.” cruise to a victory. Schneider was a sieve — particularly on Couturier’s After the trade, Giroux explained that he enjoyed being able to tell early third-period tally — and the Devils’ defense wasn’t much better on opposing players who were trying to stir the pot that Simmonds would put the semi-rare occasions Philadelphia had the opportunity to break them them in their place if necessary. So with Simmonds now in Nashville, it down in their own zone. Key players may not have had their best stuff, shouldn’t have come as a major surprise that a team would try to flex its but Jakub Voracek still produced three points (all assists), Couturier muscles more than usual against the Flyers, especially when that team is added the game-winner and Claude Giroux nabbed two assists. It wasn’t filled with AHL-caliber players looking to impress the New Jersey brass a pretty victory, but the result mattered more than the process. The with their tenacity and moxie. Flyers couldn’t afford to lose this game — and they didn’t. In the game’s first half, it sure seemed like the Devils were taking liberties 2: van Riemsdyk the driving force behind the win with Philadelphia that they might not have had Simmonds still been wearing Orange & Black. Kurtis Gabriel boarded Nolan Patrick early with This game could have played out in an entirely different way if James van a clear cheap shot. Damon Severson gave Travis Konecny a few pops to Riemsdyk didn’t step up to play the role of “stopper” in the first period. the face. Travis Zajac checked Jakub Voracek hard to the ice in the slot The Flyers had wasted a five-minute power play, and were getting both with the puck nowhere in sight. Egor Yakovlev took a run at Travis out-hustled and outmuscled by a hungry (if talent-deficient) Devils club. It Sanheim at the conclusion of the second period. Things were getting sure seemed like Philadelphia was on track for a devastating loss. ugly. Then van Riemsdyk potted two quick goals, and the entire game shifted. In the third period, however, the Flyers pushed back, both on the scoreboard and on the judge’s scorecards. Radko Gudas responded to a big hit behind the net by crushing Kevin Rooney with a textbook hip check, the first hint that Philadelphia wasn’t going to be pushed around. remainder of the game. And it wasn’t just against low-end competition, Then Nolan Patrick got his revenge on Gabriel, hitting him up high behind either — Myers showed the ability to stay with even the shifty Nico the play, which inspired Severson to rough up Patrick and led Konecny to Hischier, whose skating ability is one of the best parts of his skill-set. come over and get some vengeance of his own on Severson. Flyers players were answering the bell, in addition to racking up three goals in Myers’ on-ice metrics don’t jump off the page, but he easily finished the period to put the game out of reach. positive relative to his teammates by Corsi and xG, an evaluation backed up by the eye test. The Flyers looked like a more dangerous and sound No single player is going to replace the intangible impact of Simmonds in team on Friday when Myers skated. this regard; his “I’ll find you” threat caught on tape during Friday’s Nashville-Winnipeg rivalry game served as proof that few in the league 8: PP1 finally clicks … with Giroux in old spot take as much pride in standing up for his teammates as the Wayne Train. For five long minutes early in the first period, the Flyers found a way to But a tight-knit locker room — which the Flyers seem to have — might be raise power-play ineptitude to a new level. Philadelphia could barely set able to replace his approach in aggregate, if everyone is willing to stand themselves up in the New Jersey end of the ice, and when they did, they up for each other. If they do so on multiple occasions, my guess is that quickly gave the puck away and allowed the Devils to send it the length attempts to push them around (as the Devils tried to do on Friday) will of the ice. The Devils ended up generating just as many shot attempts quickly become as infrequent as they were with Simmonds around. (five) over the course of the major penalty as did the Flyers — a pathetic 5: Patrick not forgetting questionable plays showing. Nolan Patrick’s clear eye-for-an-eye brand of remedial justice he dished So when Philadelphia earned their second power play of the period — out last night against Kurtis Gabriel wasn’t the first time in recent memory this one a mere two-minute minor — there was little reason to believe he employed such a strategy. During the Stadium Series game, Patrick better results were on the horizon. Yet just 50 seconds into that collided with Jack Johnson, who initiated what looked like knee-on-knee opportunity, the puck was in the back of the net. contact with the 20-year-old. Patrick limped off the ice in obvious pain, Notice anything about this particular goal-scoring play? Giroux — but never left the bench area. Shortly thereafter, taking his regular shift at recently moved to the right side of the power-play formation — makes his the same time as Johnson, Patrick lined him up behind the net and pass to van Riemsdyk from the left side, his spot for the majority of the crushed him into the boards, serving notice that the original play would decade. Most likely, this wasn’t a case of the Flyers making an in-game not go unanswered. He could fight his own battles. tweak. It came immediately following a zone entry, so PP1 had probably One time is a fun anecdote, a neat “remember when…” event. To “get just not fallen into its “base” formation yet. Still, it’s notable how quickly back” at another player two times in the same week feels like a trend. and efficiently Giroux found JvR in the slot for the traditional left-handed Patrick is starting to look like a player who keeps track of dirty plays in a shot one-timer. mental ledger, and makes sure to pay back offenders in kind. Giroux tried earlier to feed van Riemsdyk from his new spot on the right Is this a good thing? You’d certainly like Patrick to avoid responses that side for a netfront, spin-around goal — it’s a pass that Giroux can only fall into the realm of illegality, both because responding to a dirty play make from his new spot if he wants van Riemsdyk to be able to receive with a dirtier one isn’t a healthy approach (ask Michael Raffl and Evgeni the feed on his forehand. Still, it’s not like that particular play is racking Malkin), and because the Flyers can’t afford to lose Patrick to future up the goals for Philadelphia’s top unit. Years of evidence supports that suspensions. But it seems like a real positive if Patrick starts to earn the Giroux is comfortable on the left side, and now that Couturier has the reputation around the league of a player who doesn’t get pushed around. primary slot role (a lefty shot), it makes even more sense to move him In addition, so long as the NHL remains inconsistent both in their on- and back to his old position. Last night’s PP setup just served as a further off-ice disciplinary measures, it’s hard to fault players like Patrick if they reminder. feel they have to occasionally take the law into their own hands. 9: Hagg struggles in defensive zone duties 6: Rough game for top line leads to third-period adjustment So far, Robert Hagg’s performance in the NHL, by advanced stats, isn’t For more than a month now, the trio of Oskar Lindblom, Sean Couturier exactly strong. In fact, Evolving Wild’s Goals Above Replacement metric and Jakub Voracek has been dominating opponents. Lindblom is scoring actually has Hagg ranked as the worst-performing defenseman during at a better rate than ever in his NHL career. Voracek has completely the 2018-19 season, which illuminates just how unfavorably the current turned his season around after getting blitzed at 5-on-5 during the first public metrics evaluate his play. two and a half months. Couturier is playing maybe the best all-around Yet Hagg’s reputation has always been that of a defenseman sound in hockey of his life. But even lines that are clicking are going to have bad his own zone, capable of suppressing chances and goals. Interestingly games, and that’s exactly what happened last night. enough, despite Hagg’s poor performance by shot and chance metrics, In a little under six minutes together at 5-on-5, the 23-14-93 line was the Flyers have outscored the opposition 88-83 at 5-on-5 during his NHL outshot 10-4, and out-chanced 6-3, largely against the Travis Zajac line. career. Of course, that doesn’t prove that the numbers are missing It was a primary reason why the Devils carried the play over the first 40 something in Hagg’s play — sometimes it can take years before bad minutes — the Flyers’ best line was getting bulldozed. shot/chance results lead to bad goal results. But it at least raises the possibility that Hagg could be — in some way not captured by public data To Gordon’s credit, he recognized their struggles, going to the nuclear — better than the underlying numbers claim. option to start Period 3, despite his team being up by a goal. He reunited the high-powered trio of Giroux, Couturier and Voracek, and was However, it seems unlikely that Hagg will continue to outperform his immediately rewarded with a Couturier goal on their first shift together in shot/chance metrics by on-ice goal differential if he delivers more games the final stanza. The group wasn’t done. Six minutes later, they helped in the defensive zone like Friday’s. Hagg was a primary culprit on two of create Ivan Provorov’s tally that essentially put the contest out of reach. the three Devils goals — first losing his man in front on Severson’s Rarely are line tweaks so obviously impactful to the outcome of a game, rebound tally, and then failing to adequately cover the backdoor threat on but in this case, the decision to break up a struggling group and reunite Rooney’s goal. For a player who stakes his reputation on his work in his an old, reliable one paid rapid dividends for Gordon and the Flyers. own zone, those were glaring missteps that can’t recur if Hagg’s goal- based house of cards is to remain standing. 7: Myers responds well to first poor NHL game 10: Flyers break NHL record with eight goalies used in a season Prior to Thursday’s game against the Blue Jackets, Philippe Myers had yet to have a real misstep since moving into the Flyers’ lineup. It was the This Flyers season will be remembered for quite a few pivotal events in reason why Gordon chose to bench Andrew MacDonald and kept the the franchise’s history — the surprise firing of Ron Hextall, the not-so- rookie in the six-man blueline group. Granted that honor, however, Myers surprise removal of Dave Hakstol and the trading of Wayne Simmonds had his first underwhelming game. He struggled with turnovers, posted a topping the list. Many will also recall the Stadium Series game for its 35% Corsi For Percentage at 5-on-5 and never really looked comfortable. unique conditions and dramatic conclusion. Yet Gordon chose to stick with his lineup from Thursday in the second But the Flyers’ 2018-19 will now become a trivia answer because, with game of the back-to-back, giving Myers a chance to prove that the the appearance of Cam Talbot in last night’s game, the team has now showing would not be repeated. The 22-year-old did just that on Friday. used eight different goalies over the course of a single season — an NHL Even in the first period, when most Flyers players were scrambling to do record. much of anything, Myers brought the calm and poise he lacked the night Bad luck played a role, of course — Hextall’s original plan for the season before. His pairing with Shayne Gostisbehere didn’t allow a shot attempt was to roll with a Brian Elliott/Michal Neuvirth duo and have Alex Lyon over the first 20 minutes, and it had as much to with Myers’ passing and serve as the No. 3 in the likely event of a Neuvirth injury. But when both work in puck battles as it did Ghost’s usual puck-moving flair. Neuvirth and Lyon went down, Hextall was sent scrambling. Calvin With the exception of one extended shift that saw the 53-61 duo trapped Pickard, Anthony Stolarz, Mike McKenna and Carter Hart were all either in the defensive zone, Myers carried over his strong play through the recalled or acquired due to injuries suffered by the planned trio. Lyon’s first-half injuries were unexpected. But Elliott — who was returning from offseason surgery — and Neuvirth were serious injury risks, and betting on their health was a big-time gamble by Hextall that blew up in his face. All of the other moves (with the exception of the Talbot trade) were essentially Band-Aids placed over the wound of that offseason misstep on the part of the team’s former GM. Luckily for the organization and its fans, the Flyers are in a much better place now when it comes to the future of their goaltending position. Hart is now locked in as one of the two NHL goalies for 2019-20, and Talbot appears likely to be re-signed to serve as his veteran 1B. A long-term plan seems to be in place now, for better or worse. They may have broken the record this year, but with Hart’s emergence, don’t expect a repeat of these issues any time soon.

Charlie O'Connor

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Penguins right ship with road rout of Canadiens

Associated Press Saturday, March 2, 2019 10:39 p.m

MONTREAL — Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins started quickly and then just kept going against the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby had a goal and three assists, Jake Guentzel scored two goals and had two assists and the Penguins cruised to a 5-1 victory Saturday night. Evgeni Malkin and Jared McCann — into an empty net — also scored for the Penguins, and Matt Murray stopped 36 of 37 shots. “Murray was terrific in goal, and Sid had a monster night,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “His line was really good. Throughout the lineup, it was a good, solid effort.” The Penguins and Canadiens have 77 points in the standings. Pittsburgh is in the first wild-card spot with the victory, and Montreal dropped to the second slot. “You want to get out and get a good start like that,” said Guentzel, who reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time. “Especially in their building. It was key for us to come out and do that.” Brendan Gallagher scored the only goal for the Canadiens. Carey Price gave up four goals on 24 shots and remained one victory away from tying Jacques Plante’s franchise record with 314. “We did have a push,” said Gallagher, who scored his team-leading 29th. “We had some breakaways. We hit some posts. Looking back, if we just get one of those to go in, maybe we get some momentum going, and they tighten up a little. It’s a big win for them and a bad loss for us. “We’re in a tight race here. There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We didn’t get the result, so we move on to the next one.” It was the second of back-to-back games for both teams. The Penguins lost 4-3 in overtime in Buffalo on Friday, and Montreal defeated the New York Rangers, 4-2. The Canadiens outshot the Penguins, 37-25, but the Pens took better advantage of their chances and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on its first four shots of the game. The Penguins needed just 21 seconds to beat Price after a bad giveaway by Jordie Benn in his own zone led to Crosby’s deflected goal. “(Crosby) is the best 200-foot player in the game,” Sullivan said. “He plays on both sides of the puck. And he understands the stakes are high at this time of year, and he’s doing everything he can to help us win.” The Penguins doubled their lead on the power play when Malkin’s slap shot changed course on a deflection by Joel Armia at 4:38. Pittsburgh finished 1 for 3 with the man advantage. Guentzel went five-hole on Price at 8:51 right after a faceoff win by Crosby for his first goal of the night and 30th of the season, his first time reaching the milestone. The Penguins went the next 11:09 of the first period without firing a shot on net but still led 3-0 at intermission. Guentzel netted his second of the game 6:24 into the second period with a precise wrist shot into the top corner of the net. Pittsburgh’s leading scorer nearly completed a hat trick late while on a breakaway in the second, but Price made a nice glove save. The Canadiens scored their only goal when Gallagher beat Murray with a shot from inside the left face-off circle. McCann added the empty-netter with 1:24 left.

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Newly acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson fills stat sheet in Penguins debut

Jonathan Bombulie Saturday, March 2, 2019 6:00 a.m

BUFFALO, N.Y. – By every metric publicly available to analyze the performance of a hockey player, newly acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson was outstanding in his Pittsburgh Penguins debut Friday night. Except for the most important one, of course: the final score. Gudbranson filled the stat sheet in about 20 minutes of overtime, helping hold the fort as the Penguins played without four of their regular defensemen, but Conor Sheary scored in the final minute of overtime to give the Buffalo Sabres a 4-3 victory. “Obviously wish we could have pulled that one in, but that’s hockey sometimes,” Gudbranson said. “They hung around and ended up sneaking one in at the end and winning in overtime.” Gudbranson, who has a league-worst minus-28 rating this season, added one to that total on a play that had nothing to do with him in the first period. Marcus Pettersson turned a puck over to Jack Eichel for an even- strength goal on the other side of the ice. Otherwise, his numbers were great. On the traditional stat sheet, he had two shots, three hits and three blocked shots. Analytically speaking, when he was on the ice at even strength, the Penguins had big advantages in shot attempts (22-7), unblocked shot attempts (18-4), shots (14-3), scoring chances (16-6) and high-danger scoring chances (5-2). If he keeps that up, the voices critical of Monday’s trade with Vancouver will be quieted quickly. “I thought he played really well,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He moved the puck. He was physical. You can see the edge he played with. I think he had a strong game.” Gudbranson said he was nervous on his first few shifts, but the feeling quickly faded. He said he thinks it’s possible to take positives out of the overtime loss, even given his new team’s spot in the standings and the date on the calendar. “I think we played really well,” Gudbranson said. “I thought we pretty much dominated that game. It’s tough not to get that extra point, but you’ve got to be happy with the effort level and use that frustration from the result to play a good game tomorrow.”

Jonathan Bombulie is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134185 Pittsburgh Penguins Guentzel, eyeing his third hat trick of the season, broke in alone on Price while killing a second-period Canadiens power play. But Price slid across the crease to get glove down Guentzel’s shot. Crosby takes control early, Penguins roast Montreal, 5-1 On the other end, Murray was sharp a night after allowing a stoppable goal in overtime. MATT VENSEL Sure, the Penguins might have already had a 3-0 lead by the time he reached for his water bottle. But in recent games, no lead has been safe. MAR 2, 2019 9:58 PM A week earlier, they blew a late 3-1 lead in Philadelphia. They got a scare in Columbus. The coughed up a late goal in Buffalo, too. Murray was in net each time. MONTREAL – The pedigreed Penguins for much of this frustrating Sullivan indicated that the Penguins had planned on starting Casey season have displayed the urgency of a retiree reading the newspaper at DeSmith in Montreal. But after the loss a night earlier, the coaches a coffee shop. decided to go with Murray based on “our own feel and where our team is out, where Matt is it at.” Sullivan said it was “an important decision for Saturday, it felt like they checked their watch and finally saw it was time us.” The right one, too. to get moving. “I could tell right from the first shot that hit him. He looked big in net. He Perhaps it was because Sidney Crosby burst in, smacked that blueberry knew this was an important one for us. He’s playing back-to-back. It was muffin out of their hands and pointed to the clock, kicking the cappuccino a good challenge for him and I thought he stood tall in there,” Sullivan machine on his way out of the door for good measure. said. “He made a number of timely saves for us when we needed it.” Sparked by Crosby and their new-look top line, the Penguins jumped out His most important stop came late in the first period, when he punched to a 3-0 lead before the first TV timeout and – believe it or not – never let out Max Domi’s breakaway try. Murray shut down Paul Byron when he the Montreal Canadiens make it a game. The decisive 5-1 win was the broke in alone on Murray midway through the final period. The lone goal 32nd career game with at least four points for Crosby, who had a goal he allowed was to Brendan Gallagher in the second. Murray made 36 and three assists. saves. “You really know when he’s taking this team over and doing it every The win, punctuated by a late empty-netter from McCann, gave the night,” Jake Guentzel said. “We’re lucky to have a guy like that, that Penguins five out of a possible six points in three road straight games brings it every night like that and is really carrying us.” against playoff hopefuls Columbus, Buffalo and Montreal. It was the fourth straight multi-point game for the captain, who has seven “[Friday night] was a tough loss. We did a lot of good things and goals and 18 assists since the start of February. That moved him into the unfortunately lost. We just had to move by it and understand the NHL’s top five in scoring. More importantly, it pulled the Penguins, who importance of this game,” Crosby said. “We did a good job of that.” had trailed the Canadiens by two points in the standings, back into playoff position. Matt Vensel: “I thought Sid had a monster night. His line was really good,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said, adding, “He understands the position we’re in. He’s doing everything he can to help this team win.” Post Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 After Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Buffalo, Sullivan spoke about the desperation of where they stand with a month left in the season, saying, “We’re going to try to win that game right in front of us.” He showed he meant it with two personnel decisions prior to Saturday’s game at Bell Centre, rowdy once again. For starters, he turned to No. 1 goalie Matt Murray on consecutive nights for the first time this season. He also shook up his forward lines, putting a pair of their hottest hands on Crosby’s wing. A speedy forward with a scary shot, Jared McCann earned the opportunity with five goals in his first 14 games since he was acquired Feb. 1. It took only 21 seconds for the promotion to pay off. As the Canadiens tried to exit their zone, Crosby harassed defenseman Jordie Benn along the wall, forcing him to give up the puck to McCann. He quickly got it to Crosby, who executed a give-and-go with Guentzel. Crosby steered his pass between the pads of Carey Price. Boom. 1-0. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson skates in the first period of his first game with the Penguins on Friday, March 1, 2019, against the Sabres in Buffalo N.Y. Jason Mackey Mike Sullivan on Erik Gudbranson’s Penguins debut: 'I thought he played pretty well' “After [Friday], we were a little disappointed how it ended and had a sour taste in our mouth coming in here,” Guentzel said. “We needed a good start in their building to get the crowd out of it.” That was Crosby’s 440th NHL goal, passing Jaromir Jagr for the second- most in team history. After Crosby set up a power-play goal by Evgeni Malkin, the top line struck again 8:51 into the game. Crosby won a faceoff straight back to Guentzel, who fired another five-hole goal to make it 3-0. “It’s a set play. We’ve kind of been doing it lately,” he said of his 30th goal on the season. “Obviously, a great draw by Sid and I’m just trying to get the puck on net and it found the back of it.” The Penguins pushed their lead to four with another from Guentzel. At the 6:24 mark of the second period, Crosby slipped a pass through to Guentzel, who whacked a shot into the upper left corner. 1134186 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan moved Patric Hornqvist to the third line, skating alongside Nick Bjugstad and Dominik Simon. Hornqvist scored a power-play goal Friday to snap an 18-game scoreless skid. Justin Schultz's return to Montreal after ugly injury just 'another game' Canadiens sticking around When the Canadiens beat the Penguins twice in the first four games of MATT VENSEL the season, it appeared it was a case of the Penguins simply taking an inferior team lightly. But here we are, five months later, and they entered MAR 2, 2019 6:56 PM Saturday with a 35-23-7 record, putting them two points ahead of the Penguins.

Other than Carey Price, still considered one of the best goalies in the MONTREAL – Justin Schultz on Saturday returned to Bell Centre for the NHL, the Canadiens don’t have much star power. Entering Saturday, first time since fracturing his ankle in the fourth game of the season. none of their players had hit the 60-point plateau. But six had tallied at least 40. In that Oct. 13 game, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Schultz was jostling in the corner with Canadiens center Tomas How are they doing it? Sullivan cited “a good overall team game.” Plekanec, who has since retired. Schultz’s left skate got caught in the ice and his leg buckled underneath him. He remained down for several The Penguins coach added: “They’ve gotten some good years out of minutes. guys like [Max] Domi and [Tomas] Tatar and players like that. … I think their transition game, their quickness might be some of their best He underwent surgery in Pittsburgh the next day, getting a plate inserted attributes. So we’re going to have to make sure we make they play a in his lower leg, and was out for four months before returning Feb. 16. 200-foot game.” “It’s hockey. It happens. I never really thought about it,” Schultz said after No answers on no-call Saturday’s 5-1 win. “Once the game started, it was another game.” The Penguins lost, 4-3, in overtime Friday in Buffalo on a Conor Sheary Schultz was solid again against the Canadiens. The Penguins probably goal moments after the Sabres appeared to be offsides entering the were not sure of exactly what to expect from Schultz from a physical or zone. psychological standpoint when he returned from such a gruesome injury. He stepped back in and made an impact right away. From its situation in Toronto, the NHL, as the Sabres celebrated, apparently reviewed the play to see if Rasmus Dahlin. It was deemed a They didn’t realize then just how important he would become. Olli Maatta good goal. had just separated his shoulder but they still had numbers on the blue line. Then last weekend they lost their top defensive pair, Kris Letang and Sullivan was asked Saturday if he had heard anything from the league Brian Dumoulin, and fellow defender Chad Ruhwedel got hurt Tuesday. about why it was not considered offsides. The coach replied, “Uhhh, no.” “He’s been critical,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s been an important Matt Vensel: part of it, especially given some of the guys that we have out right now.”

Sullivan provided no updates on the injured defensemen before Saturday’s game. He also shrugged off a question about the impact it Post Gazette LOADED: 03.03.2019 could have on the Penguins as they try to secure a playoff spot over the next month. “Every team goes through injuries. We just happened to get hit right now,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to provide opportunities for other guys to step up and play a more significant role than maybe they’ve been accustomed to. And these guys have got to be willing to embrace the challenge.” Schultz recorded two assists in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Buffalo, giving him a goal and five assists in eight games since his return. In the last four games, with Letang and Dumoulin out, Schultz averaged about 27 minutes of ice time per game. “It’s nice. You want to play as much as you can,” Schultz said. “Obviously, we want Tanger back and Dumo back. They’re a huge part of our team. But I missed so much of the season that it’s nice to be playing as much as I can right now.”

Back-to-back for Murray For the first time this season, Matt Murray started on consecutive nights. Sullivan likes to split between his two goalies games during back-to- backs, especially when there is traveled involved. But given how close the Eastern Conference standings are right now, Sullivan stuck with his No. 1. “With Matt’s body of work to this point, he hasn’t played in a significant amount of games. He’s fresh. I thought he played pretty strongly [Friday],” he said. “He’s the guy that’s going to give us the best chance to win.” Murray last started back-to-back nights March 31 and April 1 of last year. The Penguins used him in that capacity a few times last season. McCann bumped up to top line Jared McCann started Saturday’s game on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. McCann had five goals in his first 14 games since the Penguins acquired McCann and Nick Bjugstad from the Florida Panthers last month. He had two goals in Tuesday’s win in Columbus. McCann played on the left wing. Guentzel, typically on Crosby’s left, switched over to his right side. 1134187 Pittsburgh Penguins • In his past 10 games, Crosby has produced 21 points and has registered a point in at least nine of those outings.

• By anyone’s estimation, Crosby is enjoying his best defensive season. Sidney Crosby’s MVP performance guides Penguins: ‘He was a monster’ “He’s the best 200-foot player in the game,” Sullivan said. • Crosby’s point tally — he now has 83 points in 62 games — is hardly By Josh Yohe being augmented by the power play. Far from it, in fact. Crosby loses out on plenty of touches and, as a result, points because he plays down low on the power play. He only has 12 power-play assists this season. By comparison, Nikita Kucherov, the league’s leading scorer, has 30 power- MONTREAL — The player having the NHL’s most overlooked season play assists. Patrick Kane has 19. Connor McDavid has 21. Those are put on a show on Saturday. the only three players ahead of Crosby in the scoring race. Crosby has an exceptional 60 even-strength points in 62 games this season. The Sidney Crosby, who has literally been in the hockey spotlight for the most even-strength points he ever managed in a season was 72, which majority of his life, is barely on the NHL storyline radar this season. He he achieved during the 2009-10 season. Seventeen games remain in this isn’t going to win the scoring title and hasn’t received even a shred of season. Hart Trophy buzz, either. Crosby acknowledged that Friday’s loss in Buffalo was difficult to Maybe he should be. stomach. Fellow stars Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have endured their struggles “It was moving by it,” he said. “It was a tough loss. Did a lot of good for much of the season. Matt Murray has been up and down, and the things and unfortunately lost. We just had to move by it and understand Penguins’ habit of taking audacious chances with the puck has the importance of this (Saturday’s) game. We did a good job of that. We contributed mightily to them being a below average team in terms of got a great start. Looked like we had our legs, especially early. It was goals against. Even making the postseason could require a gargantuan important here that we didn’t give them a lot of life. That was a big key to effort from Crosby. the game.” He appears very much up to the challenge. In classic Crosby fashion, Crosby referred to the Penguins as “we” on Before Saturday’s game at Bell Center was 15 minutes old, Crosby five occasions in the above response. While he did have some help — produced three points against Carey Price and was responsible for two Guentzel and Crosby together are brilliant and Murray, receiving rare all-world backchecks in the Penguins’ 5-1 victory. Crosby finished with a back-to-back starts, answered the bell in a big way — this night was goal and three assists, temporarily vaulting himself from eighth to fourth really about one player. in the NHL scoring race. He also carried the Penguins back into playoff “To see it, to sit there and watch it form the front row, he’s taking this position. team over,” Guentzel said. “He’s bringing it every night. He’s really He left his teammates in awe on this night. carrying us.” “All of that MVP talk for other players is based on points,” Jack Johnson Sullivan wasn’t surprised to his captain rise to the occasion. said. “It’s totally a point thing. OK. I’m not shy about saying this: I still “He understands the position we’re in,” he said. “He’s doing everything think Sidney Crosby is absolutely the best player in the game.” he can to help this team win.” He looked every bit the best player in the game on Saturday. Crosby picked up his fourth point in the second period when he delivered Crosby scored on the game’s opening shift, when he received a feed a perfect pass to Guentzel, who proceeded to bury his 31st goal of the from Jake Guentzel and banged a shot off the post, then off Price and season. into the net. Frankly, Crosby could have earned six or seven points in this game. His He then set up Malkin for a power-play goal and won a faceoff directly to pass sprung Guentzel for a breakaway later in the second, but Price Guentzel, who scored the first of his two goals. made the save. Crosby also delivered a delightful pass from behind the net to Patric Hornqvist, who was robbed in the middle period. Despite taking an early 3-0 lead, the Penguins were actually on their heels for much of the opening period. Two stellar Crosby back checks “He’s amazing, that’s for sure,” Justin Schultz said. “He brings it every snuffed Montreal rushes. night. I guess we are in Canada. He loves playing in Canada. Maybe that helped him. But he was huge for us. We’re going to need him like that.” “He was a monster,” Mike Sullivan said. Crosby has been playing at a rare level since returning from a neck injury Many of the Penguins just giggled when asked about his performance. in late November. Since Nov. 21, he has played in 47 games. During that One night earlier in Buffalo, Crosby recorded a couple of points, and the stretch, he has recorded 64 points (1.36 points per game) and has Penguins played well. But the overtime loss left Crosby stuck at his played at a plus-15 clip. He has recorded at least a point in 29 of his past locker for a few minutes longer than usual, frustrated by the loss. It also 36 games. left the Penguins out of the playoff picture, something that hasn’t happened since Crosby was 18. “He was awesome tonight, and he’s been awesome all season,” Johnson said. “I’m not surprised. Everyone knew it was a big game, and everyone At 31, he’s still got it. His legendary competitive fire remains as strong as knew he would show up just like he always does. I’m telling you, you his game. Johnson, one of his closest friends on the team, noticed could just tell that he was ready. You need your best players to be your something different in Crosby before this game. This, it could very easily best players. And he’s the best player in the world.” be argued, was the Penguins’ biggest game of the season. Had they lost in regulation, they would have four points behind Montreal for the top wild Ten postgame observations card spot and, because of a tiebreaker, out of a playoff spot by a point. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray covers a puck as defensemen Jack Instead, Crosby pumped life into his team from his first shift to his last. Johnson (top) and Justin Schultz surround him during Saturday’s game against the Canadiens at Montreal’s Bell Centre. (Jean-Yves Ahern/USA “I could see something different in him today,” Johnson said. “That’s what Today) makes special players special. He’s always great, but when the stakes are high, he’s even better. And he’s always been that way. When we • Let’s give Murray some high marks. He stopped 36 of 37 shots and was were kids (they played together at Shattuck-St. Mary’s as 15-year-olds). required to make plenty of above average saves. Sullivan rarely goes Playoffs. Olympics. World Cup. You name it. These games are huge for with Murray in back-to-back games, and the goaltender confirmed that he us right now, obviously. And he was incredible. I’m not surprised at all. wasn’t aware that he was getting the start until late Friday, following the He’s been doing it his whole life.” loss in Buffalo. Sullivan said many factors, not just the standings, contributing to Murray getting the start. I believe Sullivan realized the But he’s never done it so quietly. importance of this game and simply felt it appropriate to go with Murray. Crosby’s season, however, is becoming impossible to ignore. Consider: Remember, Murray has always, always been Sullivan’s guy. There have been a few occasions this season in which Sullivan pulled a swerve and • He has averaged 1.29 points per game in his career, which ranks started Casey DeSmith instead of Murray. Given the game’s magnitude, behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Marcel Dionne though, Sullivan opted to go with Murray, who rewarded the Penguins and Bobby Orr in NHL history. This season, he’s actually averaging a tick with a wonderful performance. He was noticeably more aggressive higher, checking in at 1.34 points per season. against the Canadiens than he has been in previous outings, using his 6- foot-4 frame to take away shooting angles. Murray said following the game that he appreciated “the coach’s confidence in me” and that his and Johnson and Gudbranson and Pettersson, respectively. The body felt strong after playing on consecutive nights. I give Sullivan a lot of Penguins next host the Panthers on Tuesday as their battle to get into credit. He recognized the importance of this game and went with his guy. the postseason continues. So long as Crosby dresses, I’m willing to give The Penguins need Murray to play better down the stretch, and this was them a pretty good chance. perhaps a step.

• The week started with the realization that the Penguins would have to play in three games without Kris Letang (neck strain), Brian Dumoulin Josh Yohe (concussion) and Olli Maatta (shoulder separation). Then Chad Ruhwedel injured his shoulder and Bryan Rust sustained a lower-body injury. Needless to say, those are some seriously important players. The The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 Penguins grabbed five out of a possible six points without so many of their most important players. Yes, the loss in Buffalo stung. But let’s look at the big picture. Against two clear playoff contenders and a Sabres team that still has a pulse, the Penguins, with a makeshift blue line, earned five of six points on the road. Mission accomplished. • Guentzel now has a career-high 31 goals. He keeps getting better and better. And on an even more exaggerated level than Crosby, Guentzel doesn’t get much help from the power play. He’s only managed seven power-play points this season largely because he participates generally on the second unit. Guentzel has 52 even-strength points in 64 games. This is a special player. Whether he’s a great player in his own right or a creation of Crosby — I’d suggest he’s a legitimately outstanding player who happens to have a unique chemistry with Crosby, which is something that shouldn’t be scoffed at — he’s been wildly productive for the Penguins and a 40-goal season, while perhaps unlikely, is now conceivable. • Jared McCann was bumped to the top line, and the decision immediately worked. Sullivan said he moved McCann to Crosby’s line to combat some of the Canadiens’ speed. Whatever the reasoning was, the plan worked. McCann started the play that led to Crosby’s goal at the left point. His speed was indeed noticeable throughout. Also, McCann added an empty-netter, giving him six goals in 15 games as a member of the Penguins. Not bad. • Schultz didn’t have a point in this game, but one can’t deny the steadying influence he’s had on the Penguins. Where would they be without him right now? Schultz, whose defensive work has never received enough credit since joining the Penguins, cleaned up things nicely in his own territory when necessary. He is playing a ton of minutes — 24:29 against the Canadiens — and will continue to do so until Letang is able to return. There is no reason to think Schultz can’t handle said challenge. (He was taken down by Brendan Gallagher on a dangerous play in the second period but wasn’t injured.) • So far, so good for Erik Gudbranson. I liked his game a lot against the Canadiens. If you’re into this kind of thing, Gudbranson was a plus-3. He and Marcus Pettersson — when Letang and Dumoulin get healthy, I’m betting this will represent the third pairing until Maatta is ready to play — did a fine job. Gudbranson did good work on the penalty kill, nicely boxing out forwards in front of Murray. He mixed it up physically but didn’t take any penalties. His gap control was good. It’s only been two games, but all signs are encouraging. He played more than 20 minutes and did good work. • We might as well touch on Johnson since he has become such a lightning rod. I thought he was a little off in the first period, as Montreal’s speed gave him fits. Johnson isn’t a great skater, and I’m not so sure that the Canadiens represent the best matchup for him. But give Johnson credit. I thought he was quite good in the second and third periods. The pairing of Johnson and Schultz continues to be a winner for the Penguins. • Interesting night for Price. The Penguins scored on three of their first four shots as Price obviously didn’t look comfortable in the early going. That said, the score of this game could have been far worse. Three Penguins — Malkin, Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese — were denied by Price on breakaways, keeping the verdict in at least a bit of doubt until the third period. • The atmosphere in Montreal is a little different when the Canadiens are in playoff contention. There’s a real buzz in the air here right now. I sense Price will need to star for the Canadiens to make the playoffs, but then, if there’s a goaltender in the world capable of just that, it would be Price. (As a fan, if you ever have an opportunity to see a game in Montreal, don’t hesitate. It’s a great experience for anyone who loves hockey.) • The Penguins probably can’t sustain this for much longer without Letang and Dumoulin. It’s unknown when either player will return, but the sooner, the better. Dumoulin is skating back in Pittsburgh, which is an encouraging sign, and the Penguins still believe Letang will return to the lineup fairly soon. The Penguins have done an outstanding of withstanding their respective absences, but it might not be sustainable. They need their top defensive pairing back soon. When it returns, they might have something, given the chemistry on display between Schultz 1134188 San Jose Sharks “When you’re trading for a guy with 20 games left, you need hockey IQ,” DeBoer said. “They have to be able to come in and fit into your system and how you want to play. I think (Nyquist’s) been well-coached and how Sharks could be without another Norris Trophy winner vs. Blackhawks he plays fits with us. It’s been seamless.” Brent Burns has the flu and is questionable to play Sunday against the San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.03.2019 Chicago Blackhawks

By Curtis Pashelka | [email protected] Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: March 2, 2019 at 12:16 pm | UPDATED: March 2, 2019 at 5:55 PM

SAN JOSE — Brent Burns has the flu and could miss his first game in over five seasons Sunday when the Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks, potentially leaving the team without another one of its Norris Trophy winning defensemen. Erik Karlsson, the Sharks’ two-time Norris winner, will miss his second game in a row — and 11th of the last 16 — because of a groin injury. Burns stayed home Saturday as Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said there’s a “little bit of a flu bug going through the team.” The Sharks held an optional practice Saturday. Burns, who has played in 454 consecutive regular season games since Nov. 21, 2013, leads the Sharks with 71 points in 65 games and is in the mix to win his second Norris Trophy in three years. Burns, who won the award in 2017, assisted on Marcus Sorensen’s first period goal Friday as the Sharks earned a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center. Burns also leads the Sharks in average time on ice at 24 minutes and 53 seconds per game. If Burns can’t play, the Sharks would likely insert Joakim Ryan into the lineup. Ryan’s last game was Jan. 22 when the Sharks were without both Karlsson and Marc-Edouard Vlasic in what was a 7-6 overtime win over the Washington Capitals just before the NHL All-Star break. Ryan has five assists in 34 games this season. DeBoer said Evander Kane showed some improvement from an undisclosed middle body ailment Saturday. Kane missed Friday’s game and is questionable to play against the Blackhawks. Kane is not expected to be out long-term. ▪ DeBoer said Martin Jones will start in net Sunday, Jones, who stopped 22 of 25 shots Friday, is 5-4-1 with a .922 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average in 11 career games against Chicago. ▪ When Kane does return, and assuming no other forward is hurt in the meantime, DeBoer will have a decision to make as to which player he’ll have to move out of his top three forward lines. Right now, with both Sorensen and Kevin Labanc coming off productive games Friday, it doesn’t appear there are any straightforward solutions to what is a good problem for a coaching staff to have. “It’s hypothetical. We could have two other guys go down by then,” DeBoer said. “Those are problems that hopefully we’ll have to deal with when it happens.” DeBoer has liked what he has seen from Gus Nyquist in two games alongside Joe Thornton. Friday, Nyquist had five shots on goal and was credited with one blocked shot in 16:05 of ice time. Thornton also had an assist on Sorensen’s goal and has six points in his last six games. “It’s been OK so far,” said Nyquist, who was moving into a new apartment Saturday. “It makes it easy to play with (Thornton) for sure, and (Sorensen). We had a decent game last night, so keep building and I’m sure it’ll take a couple of games but I feel pretty good out there.” Nyquist was perhaps more of a facilitator for Detroit this season with 33 assists to go with his 16 goals. But he has scored 21 goals or more three times in his eight-year NHL career, and likened playing with Thornton with being alongside Henrik Zetterberg, who he was with for most of career before this season. Zetterberg had 623 assists in 15 seasons and Thornton, of course, is one of the greatest passers in league history with 1,464 career assists. “(Zetterberg’s) more of a passer, I would say. So I’m used to playing with a guy like that,” Nyquist. “It’s great playing with (Thornton).” There’s not much time for a feeling out process, as the Sharks have 17 games left and entered Saturday five points back of the Calgary Flames for first place in the Pacific Division. 1134189 San Jose Sharks

Marcus Sorensen keeps getting 'better and better' for Sharks with hard work

By Chelena Goldman March 02, 2019 1:16 PM

SAN JOSE – Apparently, having several stitches in your lip isn’t enough to keep a hockey player down. At least, that’s what Sharks winger Marcus Sorensen displayed on Friday night when he returned to the ice and put up a two-goal effort against the Avalanche. Sorensen admitted to the press after that game, a 4-3 win, that sitting out a couple of games after taking a puck to the face wasn’t easy. “It’s not fun watching,” he said. “It’s good to be back.” But the Swede’s strong performance was no fluke, either. Through the Sharks 2018-19 campaign, Sorensen has consistently played a game that has helped get San Jose results. Friday night was just another example of that. “He’s been good for us all year,” Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said Friday. “He plays a hard game. We’re happy for him, that he scored those goals.” There’s no denying Sorensen has put the work in to get where he’s at in his 2018-19 campaign. After coming to San Jose in 2016, he’s bounced up and down between the Sharks and the AHL Barracuda, even seeing a little playoff time on the NHL club’s fourth line last season. But it was a strong training camp this past September that really allowed him to cement his spot on the roster – and according to his coach, he’s been on an upward trend ever since. “He’s just gotten better and better,” Peter DeBoer said. “I think his development from coming over here and playing in the American League to getting on the fourth line a couple of years ago in the playoffs and playing an energy role.” Of course, you can’t talk about Sorensen without talking about the player who has become his fixed linemate this season – veteran center Joe Thornton. After Thornton’s return to the lineup early in the season following some complications with his surgically repaired knee, DeBoer took the vet off the Pavelski-led top line and made him a third-line center with Sorensen on his wing. The duo found chemistry almost instantly, with Sorensen even setting Thornton up for his 400th career NHL goal. That chemistry has continued throughout the season, in which Sorensen has posted 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists) and aplus-7 rating through 63 games. “You can’t understate how important Joe Thornton has been to his development offensively,” DeBoer said. “He’s always talking to him about hanging on to pucks and making plays. When you get a guy like that who wants to play with you, that’s the golden ticket.” Not surprisingly, though, Sorensen isn’t one to pat himself on the back, giving credit to the team around him – even when he has a two-goal game like he did on Friday. “I play with good players, they make plays that make me better,” Sorensen said. “So it’s easy for me to go out there.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134190 San Jose Sharks Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019

How Gustav Nyquist is integrating smoothly into Sharks lineup so far

By Marcus White March 02, 2019 7:00 AM

SAN JOSE -- When the Sharks acquired winger Gustav Nyquist from the Detroit Red Wings ahead of the NHL trade deadline, San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said he spoke with Jeff Blashill, his counterpart in the Motor City. Nyquist joined the Sharks with 19 games remaining in the regular season, and San Jose chasing the streaking Calgary Flames for home- ice advantage in the Western Conference. The Swedish forward didn’t have much, if any, lead time to integrate with his new team before his first game, and DeBoer wanted to “get ahead of that curve.” “That just saves you time in a situation where we don’t have a lot of [it],” DeBoer said Thursday of his chat with Blashill. “That's the tough part about bringing in guys at the deadline.” Among other things, DeBoer wanted to learn about what kind of coaching Nyquist would best respond to, and what Blashill noticed in the 28-year- old’s game when he was thriving compared to when he was struggling. Still, DeBoer admitted he didn’t expect too many surprises. “It was an invaluable conversation we had,” DeBoer said, “and thankfully, I think Gus is a pretty low-maintenance guy. … There wasn’t a lot there that I didn’t know, but definitely some helpful tips on some of the things I should be looking for.” Low-maintenance would largely describe Nyquist’s integration into the Sharks’ lineup so far. Through two games, San Jose has controlled 61.11 percent of the 5-on-5 shot attempts and 56.67 percent of the scoring chances with the Swede on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. In Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche, Nyquist led all Sharks skaters with five shots on net (all at even strength), and tied for second with three high-danger chances. Yet, there were still some growing pains, which is to be expected after Nyquist spent nearly eight years in the same place. On Saturday, Nyquist was on the ice for two goals against, and more Colorado scoring chances (six) than all but two Sharks forwards. He noted after his first practice in San Jose that learning the team’s systems would take some time. But, he sounded confident he’d be able to learn on the fly. “I’m just trying to get to know everyone here right now -- and enjoying it,” Nyquist said at the time. “Coming here to a very, very good team is exciting as a hockey player. [In the] first game, you could feel it right away that this is a really good team.” Nyquist has had one source of steadiness so far in San Jose: Joe Thornton as a linemate. In two games, Nyquist has played a hair over five minutes without Thornton at even strength, and just under four-and-half in 5-on-5 situations. Together, they’ve posted a 60 percent corsi-for percentage. Nyquist spent time on Thornton’s left wing in Tuesday’s loss to the Boston Bruins, and then played on his right side Saturday. That’s where Nyquist spent most of his time in Detroit, but he said playing with the Sharks’ all-time leader in assists makes any adjustment easier. “It’s fun,” Nyquist said. “He’s a great player, extremely smart. [I’ve] just gotta be open, and he’ll find me.” The winger will have plenty of time to get used to playing with Thornton, as well as his new home. 11 of San Jose’s final 17 games are at SAP Center, and the Sharks won’t be on the road for more than two games at a time for the remainder of the season. DeBoer said he was looking forward to the Sharks having some extended time at home before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in early April. He thought the team could use the month at home for additional practices, and Nyquist to “find a place to live and get settled” off of the ice. If his first two games are any indication, though, Nyquist won’t need that long to get settled on it. 1134191 San Jose Sharks

Sharks give glimpse of playoff intensity in pivotal win over Avalanche

By Chelena Goldman March 01, 2019 11:33 PM

SAN JOSE – From the rafters above the ice at SAP Center, Friday’s contest between the Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche had a bit of a playoff feel. Instead of a high-scoring standoff, San Jose’s defense had to be stingy in holding off a fast Colorado offense, and the counter-attack had to be just as confident. But did it feel like a playoff game down on ice level? “Yeah, it did,” Kevin Labanc said after Team Teal's 4-3 victory. “They’re fighting for a playoff spot and we’re fighting to win the Western Conference. Every inch of ice is hard to get.” Indeed, the Avs entered the Sharks’ house right on the outskirts of a wild- card spot. Their top forwards are fast, their netminder is a brick wall, and their power play was clicking. There was no room for San Jose to get back on its heels, even after jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second period. But even as Colorado cut its deficit to a goal 6:33 into the third period, San Jose buckled down and kept the opposition from knotting up the score. That’s exactly what this team needs as the regular season winds down, and the playoffs come into clearer view. “I thought our group came together and played a real solid game,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said after the game.. “I thought all four lines were effective. I thought all our defensemen were good.” Defense played a huge role for San Jose against a high-flying offense boasting top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen. San Jose’s defense came up big halting MacKinnon, who was dangerous offensively all night. While all three got on the score sheet in one form or another, the Sharks did a good job overall at stymying Colorado’s forward attack. “Obviously MacKinnon and Rantanen and Landeskog are a real tough group to handle, and you saw what they’re capable of when you give them a little bit of room,” DeBoer said. “I thought, for most of the night, we did a pretty solid job on them. And Jones made some saves when we needed to.” There were, of course, a few areas the Sharks bench boss would like to see cleaned up. “I would have liked for us to turn a couple of the counter-attacks into some more goals,” he said. “I thought we could have extended the lead at a couple different points instead of letting them hang around.” Overall, though, being able to contain a fast team like the Sharks did is a positive sign. Plus, it’s a nice statement to make at the start of a four- game homestand that continues Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks. “We’ve got to keep this thing rolling and get ready for Chicago on Sunday,” Labanc concluded. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134192 St Louis Blues SCHWARTZ FINED Schwartz was fined $5,000 by the NHL, the maximum allowable by the collective-bargaining agreement, for cross-checking Carolina Blues notebook: Maroon back to top line vs. Stars defenseman Dougie Hamilton in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Schwartz was penalized two minutes for cross-checking because of the play, which occurred late in the first period. By Jim Thomas It was a retaliatory move by Schwartz after being roughed up by Hamilton St. Louis Post-Dispatch near the boards. 6 hrs ago St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019

The Blues’ top line Saturday against Dallas was a flashback to opening night. It consisted of Pat Maroon on left wing, Ryan O’Reilly at center and Vladimir Tarasenko, which is how the Blues opened the 2018-19 campaign way back on Oct. 4 against the Winnipeg Jets. The Maroon-O’Reilly-Tarasenko line was together for only four games, with its members combining for two goals and seven assists before then- coach Mike Yeo split up the trio after the Blues started 1-1-2. The group was back together briefly in January, right before the Blues’ winning streak started, against Ottawa on Jan. 19 and the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 21 and combined for two goals and four assists in those contests. And that was it, until Saturday at Enterprise. One of the characteristics of interim coach Craig Berube has been relative stability with his lines. But with first David Perron and then Brayden Schenn out of the lineup with upper-body injuries, Berube has been searching for answers and goals. Entering Saturday’s game, the Blues had scored only nine goals in the five games minus Schenn, and one of those was a shootout goal. So the lineup against Dallas marked the sixth consecutive game Berube had changed his forward lines. “I thought the Nashville game (Feb. 26) we generated a ton of chances,” Berube said during his pregame media session Saturday. “The goalie (Juuse Saros) played well, and goalies are gonna play well sometimes but we can still do a better job of getting to the net. I think we’re a little light getting there right now.” Following Schenn’s injury, Jaden Schwartz had stepped in on the O’Reilly-Tarasenko line, but was dropped to the second line Saturday with Tyler Bozak and Alexander Steen, the first time that trio had been together since Feb. 14 at Arizona. LOOK WHO’S BACK The Sammy Blais Expressway, that well-traveled road between St. Louis and San Antonio, is operational this weekend. The Blues announced Saturday morning that Blais had been recalled under emergency conditions from San Antonio. The Blues later issued a clarification/update right at game time, stating that the “conditions” of Blais’ emergency recall “have terminated” and that he will remain with the Blues as a regular recall. Teams are allowed only four regular callups after the trade deadline, so Blais now counts as one of the four. Emergency callups can only take place if a player is injured, sick, etc. And Robby Fabbri, the player Blais replaced in the lineup, was a healthy scratch. Blais played on the fourth line with Mackenzie MacEachern and Ivan Barbashev against Dallas. “He brings good energy,” Berube said. “He’s physical. Gets on the forecheck and bends bodies.” This marks the sixth time the 22-year-old forward from Montmagny, Quebec, has been recalled from San Antonio this season. Most-recently, he was recalled Feb. 26 because Steen was out sick and played 11 ½ strong minutes in a 2-0 victory over Nashville that day, and then returned to San Antonio on Feb. 28. Blais had an assist Friday night in the Rampage’s 3-2 overtime loss to the visiting Milwaukee Admirals. With Schenn and Perron still on injured reserve, the Blues had no spare forwards prior to the Blais recall. Besides Fabbri, the Blues’ other scratch Saturday was defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who has yet to play since coming to St. Louis from Anaheim in a trade deadline deal. Even with the Blais callup, the Blues are carrying only 22 players on their active roster at the moment — one below the roster limit. 1134193 St Louis Blues “We’ve got to find a way to get some goals here again,” coach Craig Berube said. “It’s kind of dried up for a few games here now. I think we’re getting some looks, but it’s not the same. We’re not controlling the play in Home streaks end as Blues fall to Stars the offensive zone, getting as many good looks.” The Blues remain optimistic about getting both Schenn and Perron back soon, and with three days off until the Blues’ next game on Wednesday By Tom Timmermann in Anaheim, it’s possible that might be enough time for them to get back, since Perron has looked close to being ready in practices lately. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Blues are off Sunday, so Monday’s practice will provide the next clue. 6 hrs ago The Blues had two power plays in the first period that produced nothing and set the tone for the evening. On the first power play, there were only

30 seconds left by the time they finally got set up in the Dallas zone. Just because the Blues won 11 games in a row in a recent stretch by no Dallas scored twice in the final five minutes of the period, first on a tip by means meant their position in the playoffs was sealed. Jamie Benn for the first of his three goals, and then on a goal by John Just as the Blues went from nowhere to a team battling for a top spot in Klingberg who was given way too much time and space in the offensive the Central Division, two losses in two days sent them a reminder — not zone. The Blues cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Pietrangelo late in the that they needed one — that other teams won’t go down easily. In a second and the momentum seemed to be going their way, but a roughing game against their closest pursuer in the Central Division, the third-place penalty on Mackenzie MacEachern after he came to the defense of Blues saw their lead over fourth-place Dallas cut to three points after a 4- Binnington gave Dallas a power play and another goal by Benn. 1 loss at Enterprise Center on Saturday. “That was tough,” Berube said. “I thought it was a big goal. I thought guys While the recent run of wins had allowed them to set their sights forward were excited and turning the tides a little bit, and then we get down at Nashville and Winnipeg, objects in their rear-view mirror are getting shorthanded. Should have had it killed, but unfortunately we didn’t.” closer. Benn completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal with 29 seconds to “When you go on a streak like we did, you seem to be getting every play. Benn has five goals in the past two games against the Blues. bounce and every opportunity you’re getting is going in,” captain Alex St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019 Pietrangelo said. “Adversity sometimes isn’t a bad thing. So it’s a bit of a wakeup call for us. We’ve got to respond and regroup and have a big push this week.” If in the win streak the Blues were making their own luck with their aggressive and swarming play, that was absent this weekend. Against Carolina on Friday and Dallas on Saturday, the Blues seldom had the dominant zone time they had in the past, though the Dallas game was a step up from Carolina. The Blues allowed nine goals in two games (albeit two of them after they had pulled their goalie), a number far out of character for them. “I think it’s on us, most of the goals the last two games,” forward Oskar Sundqvist said. “I think we’ve got to be better with the puck. Better puck placement and stop turning the puck over. I don’t think the other teams are doing anything special or different. I think we can be better.” “It makes a good test for us,” center Ryan O’Reilly said. “It’s frustrating. We need these points, especially against a team that’s behind us. We need those points. It’s adversity and an opportunity for us to grow and regroup and get to back moving forward.” The Blues have gone 2-3-1 since their win streak ended, and for most of the season, that was a perfectly normal stretch for the team. It was a cause for concern then, and the feeling in the room seems the same now, namely the belief that they’re better than this. Two of those three losses came to Dallas, which is why the Stars are as close as they are. It was Dallas that ended the Blues winning streak and it was Dallas that gave the Blues their first back-to-back losses in regulation since 2018, when the Blues lost to the Penguins and Rangers on Dec. 29 and 31. The loss also ended the Blues’ seven-game home win streak, which had been the longest in the league, and was Jordan Binnington’s first loss at Enterprise Center in eight starts. All of these things were bound to happen sooner or later. As general manager Doug Armstrong said after the trade deadline, no one is going to keep winning at the rate the Blues were winning. “The streak we’re on now,” he said, “that’s not sustainable. That would be the best record ever in hockey history if you did that over 82 games.” But you can dream. “Hey, everybody wants to win every single game,” Pietrangelo said Saturday, “so we’ve got to find a way to get back to playing the same way we were.” “You never know how the game’s gonna end up,” Sundqvist said. “Now we’ve lost two in a row, but can’t think about it too much. Get some rest here tomorrow and get back to work and figure out what we need to do better.” Offense continues to be an issue for the Blues, who in the six games they have played without Brayden Schenn and David Perron haven’t scored more than two goals in a game and, if you don’t count the empty- net goal in the closing seconds against Nashville, have scored just one goal in four of those six games. That the Blues won two of those games is a testament to their excellent defense, which has for the moment escaped them. 1134194 St Louis Blues winner. It was also the same week of the in-practice fight between Blues Robert Bortuzzo and Zach Sanford.

“The obvious change is in the shot results almost exactly at the 30-game Hochman: The Blues are a threat - the stats say so mark (against Colorado),” McCurdy said. “I wasn’t completely convinced at first that the change was real, since even weak teams naturally have strong stretches and vice versa. Obviously Jordan Binnington has also Benjamin Hochman been extremely good, but the skater improvement — generating so many more shots and allowing them so much less — happened 10 games St. Louis Post-Dispatch before he started to get regular minutes, so I don’t think it’s fair to pretend that he’s the spark that caused the change in the skaters, supposing

such a thing were even possible.” From his office in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he monitors four monitors, From the December 14 game against Colorado through February 10th, searching for threats. the Blues led the entire NHL in “net threat,” but the Blues’ overall record That’s how Micah Blake McCurdy sees hockey. The mathematician uses was just 27-22-5. a statistical measurement he calls “threat,” which analyzes the location of “I’ve been beating this drum for a while now, but are the St. Louis Blues every shot taken in the NHL —and compares it to years of previous shot the best team in hockey?” Josh Smolow of Hockey-Graphs.com tweeted. data from the same location. In other words, it determines the threat level “Good lord.” of any given scoring chance. Through this, McCurdy realized that the Blues were actually good — and this was well before the Blues’ record Interviewed for this piece, Smolow said: “The Blues have been a said they were. fascinating rising monster for a while to anyone looking at the right places.” In fact, at the time, Jordan Binnington was still a minor leaguer. But that’s with Schenn, who makes the great players even greater. “The 10 games (from December 14 to January 7) struck me as anomalously good,” McCurdy said. The Blues were still just 17-19-4 on St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019 Jan. 7. “And then another 10 games after that of continued strong results convinced me that maybe the Blues had, in fact, dramatically changed the way that they were playing — for the better,” he said. “The Blues started to generate dramatically more shots and allow dramatically fewer, exiting their zone cleanly more often and entering their opponent’s zone more easily. After all, shot results and zone exits and entries go hand in hand, they reinforce one another. From the outside it looks like a switch was flipped in terms of results.” Smart, savvy offensive attempts have made St. Louis, yes, a threat. But so much of that was because of Brayden Schenn. He’s heralded, sure, but not like his linemates Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly. Well, it doesn’t take a fancy stat like “threat” — or what other statisticians call “expected goal share” — to know how much Schenn is missed. And David Perron, too. But notably Schenn, who has missed the past six games with an upper-body injury. See, the Blues have lost three of those past six games, scoring just 10 total goals. Per the “expected goal share data” of another statistical mind, Sean Tierney of Hockey-Graphs.com, the Blues have steadily declined in those six games. In a way, does the absence of Schenn show how important Schenn truly is? “Oh, absolutely — he’s a huge missing piece for us,” said O’Reilly after the Blues’ 4-1 loss Saturday to the Stars at Enterprise Center. “When he’s in the lineup, he affects it dramatically and helps us. But it’s also opportunity for other guys to get more ice and see more chances. We’ve still got some great depth. But obviously any time you get him back, it’s going to help a lot.” He’s being kind. The depth hasn’t been great the past couple games. Robert Thomas made a terrible turnover, which led to Dallas’ second goal. Zach Sanford has played inconsistent hockey. Mackenzie MacEachern, a high-energy player, had that backfire and lead to an ill- advised penalty, which led to a Dallas power play goal. Coach Craig Berube has been forced to wedge the likes of Patrick Maroon and Sammy Blais on the key line with O’Reilly and Tarasenko. That didn’t work Saturday. Nos. 90 and 91 combined for four shots all night and only one real scoring chance (O’Reilly hit a post). “My play hasn’t been where it needs to (be),” O’Reilly said. And of course, Jaden Schwartz struggled playing in Schenn’s spot in the previous games. And Jaden continued to struggle on Saturday: While Jamie Benn tallied a hat trick, Schwartz tallied a dubious minus-three. Sure, the back-to-back losses sting. Dallas is right on the Blues’ heels. But the optimist believes that once Schenn and Perron (also upper-body injury) return, they will properly infuse the Blues. Both players skated last week. The Blues have three days off before a road swing. We’ll see if the fellows with the third-most and fourth-most points on the club return to action — they’re just like getting new players from the trade deadline. As for the Blues becoming a statistical threat — and actual threat — McCurdy points to the 30th game of the season. That’s when the Blues began netting a positive threat level (both on offense and defending). If one recalls, the 30th game of the season was the Dec. 14 overtime win against Colorado, a thrilling comeback capped by an O’Reilly game- 1134195 St Louis Blues

Back again: Sammy Blais returns to Blues for 6th time

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 15 hrs ago

The Sammy Blais Expressway, that well-traveled road between St. Louis and San Antonio, is operational this weekend. The Blues announced Saturday that Blais has been recalled under emergency conditions from San Antonio. This marks the sixth time the 22-year-old forward from Montmagny, Quebec, has been recalled from San Antonio. Most recently, he was recalled Feb. 26 because Alexander Steen was out sick, played 11½ strong minutes in a 2-0 victory over Nashville that day, and then returned to San Antonio on Feb. 28. Blais had an assist Friday night in the Rampage's 3-2 overtime loss to the visiting Milwaukee Admirals. With forwards David Perron and Brayden Schenn still on injured reserve, the Blues had no spare forwards prior to the Blais recall. It is unclear who Blais might replace on the Blues' roster. Steen returned to action Friday in the Blues' 5-2 loss at Carolina, seeing 15:15 of ice time, blocking a team-high four shots, but going minus-3. Interim coach Craig Berube said Thursday that the flu bug affecting several players on the team had run its course. Ivan Barbashev hobbled off the ice late in the Carolina game after getting struck with a puck, but Berube said after the game that Barbashev was fine. Season 3, Episode 24 -- Post-Dispatch Blues reporter Jim Thomas joins columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss GM Doug Armstrong's decision not to dis… Schwartz fined Jaden Schwartz was fined $5,000 by the NHL, the maximum allowable under the collective-bargaining agreement, for cross-checking Carolina defenseman Dougie Hamilton in Friday's game. Schwartz was penalized two minutes for cross-checking because of the play, which occurred late in the first period. It was a retaliatory move by Schwartz after being roughed up by Hamilton near the boards. Benn back, bishop in goal Jamie Benn, the Dallas Stars' second-leading goal scorer with 21 goals, is back in the lineup in Saturday's 7 p.m. contest against the Blues at Enterprise Center. Benn sat out the Stars' most recent game, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, with an upper-body injury. He had two goals the last time the Stars and Blues met, a 5-2 Dallas victory on Feb. 21. St. Louisan Ben Bishop will be in goal tonight for Dallas. He started twice against the Blues in January, stopping 26 of 27 shots Jan. 8 in a 3-1 Dallas win and stopping 25 of 28 in a 3-1 Dallas loss four days later. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134196 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning pregame: Tampa Bay set to face a ‘dangerous’ team Tampa begins its four-game homestead tonight against the Senators.

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday

TAMPA – Not many teams in the NHL have gone through the changes that the Senators have this season, losing a lot of their core group and having a head coaching change with less than 20 games remaining in the season. Add on that the team is sitting last in the league with just 49 points and it can seem that there isn’t much to worry about. But that certainly doesn’t make Ottawa any less of a threat for the Lightning. In fact, it makes them dangerous. “When you usually get in the last 15-game stretch of the season, there’s some teams that are really looking to build towards next season, and those are dangerous teams,” Steven Stamkos said after Saturday’s morning skate. “There’s not a lot of expectation on their side, so they usually come out, they play really hard and they’ve got some really good young talent over there.” Ottawa fired its head coach Friday and will use Marc Crawford for the remainder of the season. The Senators also traded three of their top four scorers at the trade deadline Monday and have made many roster adjustments throughout the season. “Ottawa’s in a situation much like us a couple years ago when we’re the outside looking in,” coach Jon Cooper said, “probably not making the playoffs, a bunch of new guys in the lineup that are fighting for jobs and it can arguably be the scariest teams to play because they really have nothing to lose.” Tampa Bay will use its matchup against Ottawa as a way to regroup coming off a 4-1 loss to the Bruins on Thursday night. The Lightning ended February on a “sour” note despite carrying a 12-1-2 record overall. “I think that was a little bit of an awakening for us of where we need to be and where we are not right now,” Cooper said. “Those reminders can be good right now, especially at this time of the year and now we have to see what we can do with this. The Lightning are coming into a difficult stretch of the season, facing off against 13 teams in the Eastern Conference (nine of those teams being divisional opponents) in its next 17 games. “You look at the schedule at the beginning of the year and you don’t know who’s in the playoffs, who’s not, and who’s going to be relevant,” Cooper said, “and it just turns out now that 60-plus games in, a lot of the teams we’re playing in the end are definitely relevant so it will be a good test.” The Lightning will face off against the Senators at home tonight at 7. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134197 Tampa Bay Lightning Andrei Vasilevskiy was almost perfect between the posts tonight, saving 36 shots on the night and only allowing Ottawa’s Anthony Duclair to get past him. Lightning bounces back against Senators Steven Stamkos went scoreless on the night, not having scored a goal in After losing 4-1 in Boston on Thursday, Tampa Bay started its four-game since Feb. 18 against the Blue Jackets. homestead with a 5-1 win over Ottawa. Lightning fans sucked a good bit of air out of the building when Stamkos took a hard hit from Ottawa’s Brian Gibbons. He crawled over toward the boards, keeping most of his weight on his knees and moved his gloves By Mari Faiello over his face as the play continued. It took him about 10 seconds to get up on his own and make his way back over to the bench. Published Yesterday He didn’t come out for the remainder of the period but made his way Updated Yesterday back to the lineup to start the third. And Cooper wasn’t concerned with Stamkos’ moment after the game.

“That was a mandatory thing that he had to go,” Cooper said. “He TAMPA – It didn’t take much to put some pep back in the Lightning (Stamkos) said he was fine on the bench.” players Saturday night after a demeaning loss in Boston. It only took about two days and just over seven minutes once the puck dropped, in Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 fact. February was a grueling month for Tampa Bay, playing 15 games in 28 days. The team burned out at the end of the stint with its three-goal loss to the Bruins, but came back refreshed and ready on Saturday night as it took down the Senators with ease 5-1. “We definitely needed to find a win tonight,” Ryan McDonagh said after the game. “It was a step back towards where we want to be and you never want to let things snowball when it’s a negative side or a negative game. We’ve got a lot of experience and good leaders that want to make a stand here, especially at home.” The team’s 50th win of the season matched the NHL record for the fewest games it has taken a team to get to 50 wins, previously set with the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings when they improved to 50-12-4 after winning their 66th game of the season. “I think that’s something we’ll look at down the road, a long time, and realize we have a special group here,” McDonagh said. “If we don’t realize that already, we should, but at the end of the day we know what we’re really striving for.” Coach Jon Cooper isn’t sure what exactly has made this team more special than the ones he’s coached previously, but he does know this: “As we’ve been winning here, I don’t know if we’re fully aware all the time,” he said. “A lot of the things I find out are in the media scrums after a win. It’s something you’ll always be able to look back and your name’s in the record books and I think years from now it will be pretty sweet." The Lightning’s defense really stepped things up against the Senators, quite literally, providing for the team on both sides of the puck. Four out of five of Tampa Bay’s goals came from its defensemen. McDonagh took the defensive goals as a good sign that the team wasn’t spending a lot of time in its own zone and the players were coming in fresh on each shift. Victor Hedman opened up the scoring on the night, notching his ninth goal of the season. He took advantage of a rebound off Dan Girardi’s shot from the blue line and took a top-shelf shot, just past Ottawa’s Craig Anderson. Less than two minutes later McDonagh got in on the action logging his seventh goal of the season. Nikita Kucherov quickly traded off a pass to Erik Černák. McDonagh slipped just inside the sweet spot as Černák saw the gap and passed his line mate the puck. McDonagh carried the pass just inside the face-off circle and cradled it along the toe of his stick before taking a shot at the top-left corner, bringing up the Lightning 2-0 before the halfway point of the first period. Things continued to improve for the Lightning, on the scoring side of things, as Černák notched his third goal of the season in the first four minutes of the period and Kucherov logged his 106th point with a goal of his own toward the end of the second period. Mikhail Sergachev also got on the board notching his second goal in five games to open up the third period. Cooper said there was a lot of chatter on the bench when Sergachev scored the fourth goal on the night. “The pressure was on G (Dan Girardi) and Coby (Braydon Coburn),” he chuckled. “It’s good when you get the scoring from the back end. I liked the way we were moving the puck around and there was a big-time shooting mentality." 1134198 Tampa Bay Lightning

Humane Society hosts pet supply drive and adoption clinic at Thunder Alley The Humane Society is asking fans to donate a variety of items to help care for the animals.

Mari Faiello Published Yesterday Updated Yesterday

TAMPA – John Gordon has been a Lightning season ticket holder since the organization was founded in 1992. He often wears his white Kucherov jersey to every game so his 88-year-old sister can see him on the broadcast if the cameras pan over to Section 128. And it didn’t take much to convince the 80-year-old to donate some items to the Humane Society before the Lightning matchup against the Senators. “They asked and I would have donated anyways,” he simply said. “I’m a dog lover.” Gordon said he has loved dogs all his life, growing up with four of them at various points. However, he doesn’t have one now because it wouldn’t be fair to the animal that he’s away from home so much. It’s one of the reasons why he decided to donate two bags of Canine Carry Outs treats and a bag of RachaelRay Nutrish food. Fans were encouraged to donate many items Saturday night including: pet food, toys, treats, grooming tools and cleaning supplies. Those who donated two or more items were entered into a drawing to attend a morning skate for a future game. Three 7-week-old mixed American Staffordshire puppies stole plenty of attention as they danced around their play pen. Jerry, a dark brown and black mixed-American Staffordshire Terrier puppy; Jordyn, a light-brown mixed-American Staffordshire Terrier puppy; and James, a more medium-brown mixed-American Staffordshire Terrier puppy came from a litter of seven. Their other siblings are Jasmine, Jessica, Jamie and Jamille. All seven puppies are up for adoption. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134199 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning host ‘Give a Bear, Get a Bear’ event in partnership with AdventHealth

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday

TAMPA – It’s not a car and Oprah Winfrey isn’t giving out the gifts, but you get a bear! You get a bear! You get a bear! You get a bear! Well, that’s only if you’re one of the first 3,000 fans to arrive at the Lightning-Senators game tonight. Lightning fans will have the opportunity to pick up a branded Lightning teddy bear from the AdventHealth Quad (Section 128) before Saturday night’s game in efforts to help celebrate Tampa Bay’s third jersey along with bringing awareness to pediatric health. For every bear that is given out to Lightning fans Saturday, another bear will be delivered to a child with a personalized note of encouragement from the fan. People who are unable to attend Saturday’s game can purchase a Buddy Bear online for $25 and fill out an online note. The proceeds from the Buddy Bear Program will be used at AdventHealth’s West Florida Foundation and go toward pediatric equipment, technology, facilities and services. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134200 Tampa Bay Lightning

KanJam to be featured in Bolts Family Game Night

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday

TAMPA – Bolts Family Game Night will take on a new twist as J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh introduce KanJam to many Lightning fans Sunday night. Miller said he and McDonagh went to Kevin Shattenkirk’s KanJam event last season when he hosted it in New York. The two thought it was a really cool event to be a part of and have decided to start up their own event next season. McDonagh announced their partnership in an Instagram post Friday afternoon. View this post on Instagram Proud to partner with JT Miller to bring a @jamkancer fundraising event to @tblightning fans and help raise money for families in the Tampa area affected by this disease. Our event won’t take place until next season, but JT & I will be demonstrating our @kanjamllc skills at Bolts Family game night on Sunday. Follow @jamkancer for details A post shared by Ryan McDonagh (@rmcdonagh27) on Mar 1, 2019 at 1:09pm PST “We’re just raising awareness for kids with cancer,” Miller said. “We’re just spreading awareness and having a fun day.” KanJam, a game that combines two favorites like frisbee and ring-toss, has two people stand about 50 feet apart and throw a frisbee into a can. The idea is to get to 21 points, which happens when a player hits the can with some assistance from their teammate (one point), hits the can with the frisbee (two points) or has their partner “dunk” the frisbee into the can (three points). Players can also win the game immediately by throwing the frisbee into the small slot at the front of the can. The KanJam app is Android and iPhone friendly to help players keep track of their score easily. Miller said the goal is to have their own event ready to go by Christmastime next season, but a date has yet to be confirmed. “We went to the event last year and had a lot of fun,” Miller said. “Me and Mac (McDonagh) knew we wanted to be a part of it and try to get one going.” View this post on Instagram Here’s @rmcdonagh27 & J.T. Miller of the @tblightning showing off their @kanjamllc skills at @shattdeuces @jamkancer event. Hope they’ve been practicing for tomorrow when they’ll be Jamming at Bolts Family Game Night. A post shared by JamKancerInTheKan (@jamkancer) on Mar 2, 2019 at 5:53am PST Those interested in the event will have the chance to see it first-hand Sunday night when Miller and McDonagh show off their skills at the Bolts Family Game Night in Downtown Tampa, following the team’s game show-like event in the Tampa Theatre. They will show people how to play the game and explain its significance. “We’re just trying to do everything we can to give back and help out,” Miller said, “and I think it’s a great time to do it.” Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134201 Toronto Maple Leafs goal line and allowing the opposite defenceman to pick up the opponent on the other side.

That’s easy enough to remember, sure. But as Muzzin was saying, Leafs shake defenceless feeling in bounce-back win over Sabres “when you’re in your zone for 35 seconds you start to get fatigued, and then you start not thinking clearly. And then those old habits come back in … So if I’m flushing and the other guy’s holding the post, there’s no By DAVE FESCHUK one there, and they get a scoring chance.” Sports Columnist This helps explain why Muzzin, billed upon his acquisition as a top- pairing type, has stuck been playing third-pairing minutes. On Thursday Sat., March 2, 2019 in Long Island, he played the fewest minutes of any Toronto defenceman, less than 18 minutes. He was a minus-2 on John Tavares

Jersey Burning Night. And in Babcock’s world, that won’t fly. In the latest chapter of the ongoing series Can this Maple Leafs defence “The biggest thing we talk about with D is, you can do anything you want corps possibly be good enough to contend for a Cup? we pose a as a D-man, but you’ve got to keep the puck out of your net,” Babcock puzzling question: Why hasn’t Jake Muzzin been better? said. “I want the puck to not go in the net.” More than a month since Muzzin was acquired from the Kings, he has Again, it’s easier said than done, and we’ll see how Toronto’s blue-liners yet to turn into the ideal fit many expected he’d be. perform in the final 17 games. With Jake Gardiner out week-to-week with Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen, who faced 20 shots in the third period, back problems, with Dermott on the shelf for what’s expected to be four smothers a rebound while D-man Ron Hainsey keeps Sabre Jeff Skinner weeks with a shoulder injury, perhaps the Maple Leafs will get exposed out of harm’s way. for failing to shore up the ranks at the trade deadline. Either that or the remaining D are going to get long-needed exposure. Dubas clearly There’s been the whole business of where he ought to play. On a team believes in a lot of these guys — as in, he believes they simply need ice desperate for help on the right side, he’s made it clear he’s more time. comfortable on his natural left. So while coach Mike Babcock has tried him with multiple partners — Morgan Rielly, Travis Dermott and, in Muzzin got 20 minutes Saturday. But patience is scarce. Some observers Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Sabres, Nikita Zaitsev — the coach has kept were calling for Martin Marincin’s ouster from the lineup after his haggard Muzzin on his usual flank. work in Long Island on Thursday. Fair enough, but Marincin hadn’t played since Jan. 23. And on Saturday, not unlike Muzzin, Marincin But heading into Saturday the issue hadn’t simply been handedness. It looked like a far more confident and competent player, assisting on had also been fleetness — or a lack thereof. This is a guy who came Toronto’s first goal and effectively inserting himself into the play most of from one of the slowest teams in the league wearing a pair of bulky knee the night. braces. The 30-year-old Muzzin, mind you, says the support brackets aren’t an accoutrement of decaying joints — they’re merely Andersen, at least, could sympathize with defencemen thrust into service precautionary. after a long absence, or a fellow Western transplant trying to make his name in the speedy East. “I’ve had two minor (knee) injuries, but I don’t feel ’em anymore,” Muzzin said. “Just protection. Like a linebacker.” “Hockey’s a fast sport … You don’t get to stand over a golf ball thinking what type of shot you’re going to make. You’ve got to make an instant So let’s give Muzzin the benefit of the doubt on foot speed. He insists the read, and that comes with practice,” Andersen said. “That’s why it was type of speed that’s been lacking is the game-processing variety. cool to get (Muzzin) a month before the trade deadline. He’s going to Speaking after Saturday’s morning skate, Muzzin acknowledged an start feeling more comfortable. It seems like he’s been here forever, in occasional lack of confidence reading plays. Adapting his Western-made some ways.” skill set to the speedier Eastern game is no easy feat. Toronto Star LOADED: 03.03.2019 “You’re so used to one system for — how many years was I in L.A.? Seven years? — it’s just a habit,” Muzzin said. “But we’re getting used to it. It’s coming around.” It certainly looked better Saturday, when Muzzin and the bulk of Toronto’s blue-liners proved central to a winning effort. Forward Mitch Marner and John Tavares made the biggest noise with duelling three- point performances, sure. But on a night when Rielly continued his Norris Trophy candidacy by notching a marker that moved him into the NHL lead for goals by a defenceman with 16 and Zaitsev added a rare goal, Muzzin was a force, too. The ex-King levelled a couple of solid bodychecks and stepped into the fray to intercept more than one pass. He hit the scoresheet, too, with an assist on Marner’s empty-net goal in garbage time. Muzzin wasn’t perfect. Nobody was, especially in a third period in which Frederik Andersen made 20 saves as the Maple Leafs fell back on their heels with the lead. But at Muzzin’s best he looked like he was simply playing instead of thinking about playing, which is the way it needs to be. “I think (Muzzin) was great (in the immediate wake of the trade) … it went good and then maybe not quite as good. And then you get thinking, ‘What the heck am I doing?’” Babcock said. “Don’t. You’re a real good player. We like you a lot. Just play. I think Muzz makes real intelligent decisions. He’s a good player for us, important player for us … Don’t overthink it. Just play.” That’s easier said than done when you consider the stylistic differences between the Maple Leafs and Kings. In L.A., short breakout passes were the norm. Here, it’s stretch-pass city — the offensive equivalent of home- run swing after home-run swing. And in the defensive zone, the translation isn’t always English to English, either. “There’s some reads in the D-zone where, if you don’t make the right read, it’s usually a goal against. So those are the tough reads,” Muzzin said. One example: The Kings’ tactical philosophy encouraged “flushing,” essentially chasing an opponent behind the net. The Maple Leafs prefer to play the same situation “holding the post” — stopping the chase at the 1134202 Toronto Maple Leafs Glass dismissed: The start of the game was delayed when a pane of glass in the Sabres end needed to be replaced. The flaw had not been noticed until the anthems had been sung. Tavares and Leafs rebound with dominant win over Sabres Roster notes: Leaf Nazem Kadri (concussion) took part in the morning skate … Justin Holl and Tyler Ennis were scratched … Travis Dermott (shoulder) and Jake Gardiner (back) remain week-to-week. By KEVIN MCGRAN Up next: Three games out west, starting Monday in Calgary. Sports Reporter Toronto Star LOADED: 03.03.2019 Sat., March 2, 2019

It started out — and ended — as a John Tavares love-in. There was a thundering ovation for the hometown hero who had been villainized by fans of his former team, a goal by No. 91 himself to kick things off on a three-point night, the first star of the game and chants of “J.T.!” from a passionate Scotiabank Arena crowd that soaked up the Maple Leafs’ 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Leafs centre John Tavares was all business at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night, opening the scoring on the way to a three-point night — after a rousing ovation from Toronto fans. “It was a pretty special moment to be recognized like that and get the support of the city and the fans,” said Tavares. “It shows you why it’s special to be a Maple Leaf. A nice little boost. Nice to do it in a win, come home on a Saturday and play the way we did.” The game was the Leafs’ response to a dismal effort Thursday in Uniondale, N.Y., where the Islanders had their way and fans roasted Tavares, the Isles’ former captain. Leaf Nation responded. Tavares got perhaps the biggest ovation of the season when he was introduced. Teammates peeled away to give Tavares the moment as the over-ice screen stayed on Tavares’s face longer than usual. “We’ve got a special group in here, the support we give one another,” said Tavares. “To give me a moment like that is something I’ll always remember. I think it shows how tight we are.” Tavares opened the scoring with his 37th goal, the result of hard digging around the net. He now has 71 points, seven in his last five games. “It was great seeing the fans interact with him like that and give him that ovation,” said Mitch Marner. “The night in New York wasn’t the game we wanted and was pretty harsh on him. It was a great moment for him coming home and getting that ovation.” By the end, the microscope the Leafs constantly find themselves under had revealed all sorts of efforts to love: Jake Muzzin’s big hits, fisticuffs from Kasperi Kapanen, and Nic Petan’s first goal as a Leaf among them. The result: The Leafs won their fourth in five games, staying close to Boston for the second seed in the Atlantic Division by beating Buffalo for the fourth time in a row. It’s been an unusual display of domination by the Leafs over the Sabres. The last time they won four in a row over Buffalo was 1971-72. Also for the Leafs: Morgan Rielly scored his 16th goal, Patrick Marleau providing the screen with 20 seconds left in the first period. Rielly leads all NHL defencemen with 15 even-strength goals … Petan and blue-liner Nikita Zaitsev scored late in the second period. Zaitsev shot from the corner, aided by a deflection off Brandon Montour, who’d been tying up Zach Hyman … Marner had an empty-net goal and two assists … Frederik Andersen made a number of big saves and was the best Leaf in the third period, when Buffalo outshot Toronto 20-8 (37-31 overall). Moore is more: Since Trevor Moore was called up from the Marlies, replacing Par Lindholm, the fourth line has come to life offensively. Petan was the latest beneficiary of Moore’s hustle, one-timing a pass from the corner in the second period. Since Moore came aboard four games ago, the fourth line has scored three goals. For the Sabres: Jason Pominville scored his 15th of the year, just 1:40 after Tavares opened the scoring, and Conor Sheary scored at 7:34 of the first for a brief 2-1 Buffalo lead. The Sabres perhaps deserved a better fate, but allowed the Leafs to score in the late going of both the first and second periods. Rielly’s came with 20 seconds to go in the first, Zaitsev’s with 55 seconds left in the second. Sabres rattled: The Sabres were playing the second of back-to-back games, having beaten Pittsburgh in overtime on Friday night. Buffalo hasn’t won two in a row since Dec. 11 and 13, falling out of the playoff race. 1134203 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs’ Kadri makes strides in concussion recovery

By KEVIN MCGRAN Sports Reporter Sat., March 2, 2019

Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri missed his sixth game Saturday night because of a concussion, but he does seem to be on the road to recovery. Kadri took part in the morning skate Saturday, prior to the Leafs’ game against Buffalo. Nazem Kadri, out with a concussion, took part in the Leafs’ morning skate on Saturday. “Obviously, our medical staff has to do a good job with those guys and keep them out as long as they’re supposed to be out,” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock. “I think it’s obviously good for him to be out there, just morale-wise. It looks like he’s going in the right direction. “I didn’t talk to the coaches since he’s been out, just to see what kind of skate they were able to give him and what he was able to handle. (We’ll) still monitor that and see, and then we’ll see how hard we can push him. I don’t know when he’s ready.” Kadri has 15 goals and 20 assists in 59 games. He was concussed Feb. 19 in St. Louis. Kadri has been remarkably healthy for most of his seven- year NHL career. He has missed games — two last year, six in 2015-16, nine in 2014-15 and four in 2013-14 — but mostly due to suspensions. The Leafs remained without Jake Gardiner (week-to-week with back spasms) and Travis Dermott (out a month with a shoulder injury). Toronto Star LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134204 Toronto Maple Leafs — John Tory (@JohnTory) March 1, 2019 “I’ve got a lot of support from a lot of people,” a grateful Tavares said in the morning. “Since I’ve got here, it been tremendous. You really realize Fired-up Tavares and Leafs roll over Sabres it’s a special place to play.” In the department of strange bedfellows, one of the most vocal hockey Lance Hornby personalities to speak about his harsh treatment from the Islanders throng in Nassau was former New York Ranger bad boy Sean Avery. His Published:March 2, 2019 foul-mouthed video condemnation of the crowd seemed more about rekindling the Rangers-Isles feud than actual concern for Tavares, but Updated:March 2, 2019 10:57 PM EST the latter was aware of the posting. We got @imseanavery chiming in on Islanders fans pic.twitter.com/VgAk9QiZlG The flashing CN Tower never looked better to John Tavares when the Maple Leafs flew home in the wee hours of Friday. — Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 1, 2019 And he followed up the toughest night in his NHL career by lighting up “I heard about it, I don’t really have any comment on it,” Tavares said. the SBA, in a turbo-charged Tavares effort against the Buffalo Sabres “I’m just focusing on playing Buffalo, wanting to bounce back. We didn’t that cut the cord to Long Island play our best (in New York).” Tavares’ opening goal and two assists sparked Toronto to a 5-2 win in a NIC OF TIME hard-hitting affair. Other Leafs who were a no-show in Nassau came to life as well, with 19,088 giving him a standing ovation when the club re- Petan, the Leafs’ lone trade deadline pickup, made his debut on left wing arranged the starting lineup announcement with him last and teammates of the fourth line, bumping Tyler Ennis. He’d only played 13 games this dropping back to give him the spotlight. No place like home, John? year for the Winnipeg Jets, sitting for long stretches. “I definitely had some goosebumps. That was a pretty special moment to “It’s been tough at times and obviously there are bad days and good be recognized like that, to get support from the city and the fans. It shows days,” Petan said Saturday morning. “But the time has come now and I you why it’s special to be a Leaf. It was nice to do it in a win. have to make the most of it.” The Leafs, with a bit more time to adjust to injuries on defence to Jake Petan is from Delta, B.C., so rather than fly out for Saturday’s game, his Gardiner and Travis Dermott kept the pressure on after some early family will wait and hope to see him somewhere on the Leafs’ Western stumbles, but still needed nearly 35 saves by Frederik Andersen and road trip next week. In acquiring Petan for Par Lindholm, general goals from a couple of unlikely sources. manager Kyle Dubas said the plan was he’d remain a Leaf this season. The arena cam was on Tavares as he emerged for warm-ups and he “Our pro scouts saw something they wanted, so I’m putting him in and received about the loudest reception a Leaf ever gets with the building giving him an opportunity,” a cautious Babcock said. “Enzo played really only two-thirds full. well, so it’s tough for him, but (Petan) will play with those guys (and in Ennis’s spot on the second power play unit) and see what he does.” Homemade signs in support of him included ‘We Need You’, ‘Captain 91’, ‘This Is Your Real Home’ and a crossed-out Islander logo ‘We See Martin Marincin was selected ahead of Justin Holl to partner Igor Why You Left’. Ozhiganov Saturday as the third defence pair with the club looking for help in the wake of long-term injuries to Gardiner and Dermott. Holl “The signs were phenomenal,” Tavares said. “It’s been unreal to be a played for the first time since Christmas on Thursday against the Isles, part of and it’s just beginning (the first of a seven-year, $77 million US but sat in favour of the left shooting Marincin so Babcock could put the contract). There was a lot of attention on me going back to Long Island, latter with the right shooting Ozhiganov. but I just want to move ahead.” MOORE FOR YOUR MONEY GAME ON Of the Leafs’ eight free agents, Moore is the only one currently on the On Tavares’ second shift, he kept digging at a loose puck until burying roster straight out of NCAA hockey, joining the Marlies from the his 37th of the year, or one more than James van Riemsdyk had last University of Denver (Tyler Bozak’s school) in 2016. Saturday was his season as Toronto goal leader. The demonstrative fist pump did all his 11th game with the Leafs. talking. “When we recruited him out of college Jimmy Paliafito (now senior But the Sabres came back with a similar goal, Andersen losing sight of a director of player evaluation) loved him,” Babcock recalled. “It took a rebound and Jason Pominville jamming it in, his 57th point in 64 games while to get going. What I like, he’s got great details, an elite first few against Toronto, almost all in Buffalo colours. Conor Sheary, the Sabres’ steps and a big bucket (rear end). He can really protect the puck, he OT hero Friday night against Pittsburgh, then did a masterful job doesn’t fall over easy. He makes plays with speed. controlling a Kyle Okposo stretch pass that was bouncing around, flicking it past a surprised Andersen. “Eventually we’d like him to penalty kill for us and he might play on the power play one day. What happens for him is no different than Andreas The Leafs survived a Mitch Marner minor and a three-car collision in front Johnsson or Kasperi Kapanen. It has taken time. He became a scorer in of Andersen that provided Buffalo another chance to make it 3-1. With the minors like he was in college, has confidence and when he gets the less than 20 seconds to go in the opening period, Morgan Rielly got a puck, he has good touches with it.” puck through Linus Ullmark’s pads. Auston Matthews’ assist on the play gave him a career best 30. SABRE RATTLING Tavares batted a few pucks wide that could’ve added to his goal total, The Sabres were in search of their first back-to-back wins since mid- before helping a forecheck on Nikita Zaitsev’s bank shot to make it 4-2. December. Their record in that frustrating span was 0-9-1, during which Preceding it was Nic Petan’s first as a Leaf in his fourth line debut, set up they’ve lost playoff ground. from behind the net by Trevor Moore. Buffalo was also trying to avoid the possibility of losing to the Leafs four J.T.’S KEY TO THE CITY times in the same season since 1971-72. No one got a break from work on John Tavares Day, least of all Tavares. Babcock offered this on Jack Eichel, who came into Saturday on a seven-game points’ streak and only the third Sabre with 20 goals his first While he appreciates fans in his corner following that uncomfy hot seat in four seasons, joining Rick Martin and Thomas Vanek: “Elite speed, an Long Island, he just wanted to get on with the business of his seven-year interesting-type skater. Sometimes he doesn’t really look like it, but he US$77 million contract. can really cook through the middle of the rink and then flat-out shoots it.” That was rather impossible when he woke up Saturday to find ardent LOOSE LEAFS admirers on social media had declared it “Tavares Day In T.O.” Even Mayor John Tory tweeted his endorsement for the idea. The win gave Babcock three consecutive 40-win seasons, only accomplished by the late Pat Quinn … Centre Nazem Kadri took part in Don't let the haters get you down @91Tavares, you’re home now and the morning skate, but the earliest he returns from a concussion he we're proud you're here in Toronto! #TavaresDayTO suffered Feb. 19 in St. Louis is sometime on the Western trek. “Our pic.twitter.com/m4rKVkxSi6 medical staff has to do a good job and keep those guys out as long as they’re supposed to be,” Babcock said. “It’s good for him to be out there morale-wise and it looks like he’s going in the right direction. We’ll see how hard we can push him” … Told that defenceman Jake Muzzin has begun to notice a faster pace in the Eastern Conference after many years in the West with the L.A. Kings, Babcock chuckled. “He was great early (then) maybe not quite as good. You get thinking ‘what the heck am I doing?’ Don’t. You’re a really good player, we like you lots. Don’t overthink it, just play.” Muzzin had a much better game Saturday … In the system, Ian Scott stopped 23 of 24 shots Friday night and one of two shootout attempts in Prince Albert’s 2-1 win over Red Deer. The 6-foot-4 fourth round pick from 2017 now has a record of 34-6-1 with a 1.89 GAA and .931 save percentage entering the weekend … Thursday was the first time this year Zach Hyman scored and the Leafs didn’t win (8-1-2) … Before Friday’s game in Buffalo, Woodstock, Ont., native Brad Kovachik officiated his 1,500th NHL game as linesman. Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134205 Toronto Maple Leafs This will be the 11th time since mid-December they’ll attempt back-to- back wins (0-9-1) and having dropped two to the Leafs already, they’ll be trying to avoid it happening four times in the same season since 1971-72, JOHN TAVARES DAY: Leafs fans and Toronto's mayor show support for with another match in Buffalo March 20. #91 Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.03.2019

Lance Hornby Published:March 2, 2019 Updated:March 2, 2019 1:38 PM EST

John Tavares appreciates the support but he just wants to get back to work. Scorned on Long Island in the strongest of terms during Thursday’s hot seat homecoming, made worse by the Maple Leafs’ 6-1 loss, the free agent woke up Saturday to find many on social media had declared it John Tavares Day. Even Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted his endorsement for the idea as the Leafs readied to meet the Buffalo Sabres. “I’ve got a lot of support from a lot of people,” Tavares said after the Saturday morning skate. “Since I’ve got here, the support has been tremendous. You really realize it’s a special place to play.” In the department of unusual allies, one of the most vocal people about the harsh treatment he received from the Islanders throng in Nassau was former New York Ranger bad boy Sean Avery. His foul-mouthed video condemnation of the crowd’s behaviour seemed more aimed at stirring up the Rangers-Isles rivalry than actual concern for Tavares, but the latter was aware. “I heard about it, I don’t really have any comment on it,” Tavares said. “I’m just focusing on playing Buffalo, wanting to bounce back. We didn’t play our best, it’s most important to just move forward.” Coach Mike Babcock has some lineup changes in store for the Sabres. Nic Petan, the club’s lone trade deadline pick-up, will make his Leaf debut on left wing of the fourth line, bumping Tyler Ennis. He’s only played 13 games this year for the Winnipeg Jets, sitting for long stretches. “It’s been tough at times and obviously there are bad days and good days,” Petan said. “But the time has come now and I have to make the most of it. I’ve (practiced) a lot of shooting these past couple of months so I’m looking to get a lot of pucks on net tonight.” Petan is from Delta, B.C., so his family will wait to see him somewhere on the Leafs’ Western road trip next week rather than fly to T.O. In acquiring Petan for Par Lindholm, general manager Kyle Dubas said the plan was he’d remain a Leaf. “Our pro scouts saw something they wanted, so I’m putting him in and giving him an opportunity,” a more cautious-sounding Babcock said. “Enzo played really well, so it’s tough for him, but (Petan) will play with those guys (and in Ennis’s spot on the second power play unit) and see what he does.” Martin Marincin was picked ahead of Justin Holl to partner Igor Ozhiganov Saturday as the third defence pair as the Leafs look for help in the wake of long-term injuries to Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott. Babcock didn’t think he had to start rebuilding team structure and confidence after such a setback on Long Island. “I really liked our game actually, thought our game was spectacular — for about 24 minutes,” Babcock said. “Just goes to show you if you can’t do it right, you can’t win in the NHL playing good teams. That was as good a lesson as we could get.” Centre Nazem Kadri took part in the morning skate, but the earliest he could return from a concussion suffered Feb. 19 in St. Louis would be during the Western trek. St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn (10) collides with Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri (43) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP/Tom Gannam) The Sabres, who didn’t skate after their encouraging 4-3 overtime at home over Pittsburgh, visit the SBA for the second time in a week, losing 5-3 here on deadline day without a couple of regulars. 1134206 Toronto Maple Leafs with the 43rd overall pick by the Jets in the same 2013 draft that saw the Leafs take Gauthier 21st.

“He was a highly touted prospect and you could see why,” Moore said. The Leafs are betting on skill: Nic Petan might just need a chance “He’s incredibly skilled, good skater, and competes — it was fun to play with him.”

By Jonas Siegel The two were on opposite sides last season when Moore was growing his role with the Marlies and Petan was starring, with 52 points in 52 Mar 2, 2019 games, for the .

Gauthier and Petan, on the other hand, both represented Team Canada at the 2014 and 2015 world junior championships, and were roommates It had been more than two months since Nic Petan last played a game. It during the first go-around in Sweden. had been more than 12 months since he last scored a goal. Petan was a third-line stud for the Canadians the second time around in The 23-year-old checked both boxes Saturday night in his Maple Leafs Toronto, matching Connor McDavid and Sam Reinhart for the debut. tournament lead in scoring. He mustered 11 points in seven games, with “It just felt good to be out there again,” said Petan, who ended up with the the tourney concluding at what was then the ACC. game-winner as the Leafs beat the Sabres for the second time in less “He had an unbelievable tournament,” Gauthier said. “He’s a really good than a week. “The goal was a cherry on top.” passer, makes some great plays.” Petan played just under eight minutes and didn’t touch the puck a whole As to their meet-ups in the AHL after that, Gauthier went on: “I think he lot, but it was easy to see nonetheless what Kyle Dubas was thinking wasn’t there for a long time for a reason. I think he can play up here.” when he swung a deal for the former second-round pick just before the trade deadline. He was making a bet on skill — a low-cost, low-risk bet at Now, it’s going to be up to Petan to prove it. And that will be a challenge that. Par Lindholm, who went the other way in the trade that brought given the powerful team he’s joining, the stage in the year that he’s Petan to Toronto from Winnipeg on deadline day, was a 27-year-old of joining it, and the coach who leads it. limited upside with one goal in his first NHL season, and his contract was expiring. Only a short while after Petan’s debut, Mike Babcock said that Tyler Ennis would go right back into the lineup when the Leafs played in Petan will turn 24 in a few weeks, meanwhile, and will be a restricted free Calgary on Monday night, presumably replacing Petan. It’s not hard to agent on July 1. He’s a controllable asset, but more importantly, a envision the Leaf coach sticking with the 29-year-old vet more often than controllable asset with skill who might just need a chance to blossom. not after that and given the way Moore has performed so far — adding another assist and penalty killing duty to his repertoire against the Sabres Often, it’s that second — and sometimes, third or fourth — team on — Petan faces another tall task when it comes to getting a chance to which a player of pedigree finally shines. Think Blake Wheeler, who play. didn’t really hit it big until he left Boston for Winnipeg. Or Brent Burns, who took off when he jumped to San Jose. Mika Zibanejad, a sixth Babcock seemed lukewarm on even getting him in against Buffalo. overall pick by the Senators, has turned into a point-per-game 25-year- old for the Rangers. Elias Lindholm, likewise, was a Hurricanes first- “I’m just putting him in,” Babcock said on Saturday morning. “Obviously, rounder who’s become a force on Calgary’s top line this season. our pro scouts saw something they wanted so we’re putting him in and giving him an opportunity.” That’s not to suggest that Petan is headed for stardom, just that it’s entirely possible he becomes a useful part in Toronto. Petan said the message he’s gotten so far from Babcock is to play hard in the defensive zone and work hard more generally when he’s out there. It took him eight shifts to get his name on the scoresheet. A goal against on his second shift, undoubtedly, was not the way he would have hoped to start. “I just was yelling super, super loud,” Petan said. But the play for Petan probably wasn’t about this season for Dubas, but He was talking about the pass he hoped, and eventually did, get from beyond. Trevor Moore behind the net. He one-timed it right past Linus Ullmark for the Leafs’ third goal. It was the first marker for Petan since Feb. 23, It’s possible the Leafs GM might have to move out a body up front this 2018, and only the sixth, period, in 109 NHL games. summer because of the ensuing cap crunch, which might create an opening for Petan to fill. The Leafs could also let Ennis, a pending That surely had something to do with opportunity that just kept shrinking unrestricted free agent, go on July 1, though given his fit and for him in Winnipeg. performance it’s entirely possible he’s brought back if the price is right. He turned in almost 12 minutes a night for the Jets as a 20-year-old in 26 At worst, Petan is NHL-calibre depth for an organization that needs it. games his first season. That number dropped slightly, to right around 11 With Moore graduating, Josh Leivo in Vancouver, and Carl Grundstrom minutes, in 54 games as a sophomore, and then, with the Jets notably now a prospect in the L.A. system, the Leafs could use some extra help adding Kyle Connor to an already stacked forward group, to eight and a up front moving forward. half minutes on average last season — with Petan spending a large chunk of the year in the minors. Petan helps with that, and maybe he’s something more.

This season, he played in only 13 games and averaged only seven Given the talent that’s already firmly in place, it’s unlikely that he ever minutes. One night he logged only four minutes and 21 seconds. He garners big minutes from the Leafs, but perhaps he can carve out the played what was ultimately his last game for the Jets on Dec. 22 and had same sort of space that Ennis, a former first-round pick, has occupied eight shifts. this season — around 10 minutes per game, with power play time, and the odd sprinkling of offence. Maybe down the line he can even play “It’s been a long time,” Petan, who once scored 46 goals in junior with the some centre on a fourth line that’s entirely small, speedy, and skilled, the Portland Winterhawks, said of finally finding the back of the net again. kind Dubas brought to the Soo and then the Marlies — and now, to the “It’s been a long time since a game, too.” Leafs. Though he was scored against on only his second shift as a Leaf, Petan, “I don’t know if it’s just Kyle or what,” Moore said of stylistic changes that with his puck skills, looks like he’ll fit right in on what’s become an are allowing more players like him and Petan to play, “but I think teams increasingly plucky and skilled Leafs fourth line, one that again featured are leaning more toward — the size (of a player) can be important, but the surging Moore and reasonably steady Frederik Gauthier. it’s also if you’re a smart player you can play in this league. It’s kind of Both are familiar with Petan. changing around that way where fast, skilled guys, as long as they play the game hard, they’re able to stick around.” Moore was also born in 1995 and remembers watching Petan when he was playing for Portland, a Western League juggernaut at the time. Which means a chance for Petan, who’s listed at 5-foot-9 and 179 Whereas Moore struggled to generate interest and ultimately went pounds. undrafted, Petan was a fixture on NHL draft boards and was scooped up On those days he was still longing for an opportunity with the Jets, Petan tried to keep himself in game shape, worked on winning puck battles and picking pucks out from the wall, and there was shooting, lots and lots of shooting, but never for anything but the satisfaction of beating a goalie in practice.

Saturday was different.

After a few shifts, Petan started to get those legs chugging. He felt “normal” again. Suddenly, he had a chance.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134207 Toronto Maple Leafs — FLINTOR (@THEFLINTOR) MARCH 3, 2019

If that’s not worth five stars, I don’t know what is.

Leafs Report Cards – Game 65 at Buffalo 䈏䈏䈏䈏

William Nylander – 15.1 minutes, 3 scoring chances, 1 post, 5 controlled By Ian Tulloch zone entries (team lead), 7 controlled zone exits (team lead)

Mar 2, 2019 Nylander has been flying through the neutral zone lately, and tonight was no exception. He helped get his team into the offensive zone with consistency, which is a big part of the reason his line dominated play (controlling 60 percent of the shots at five-on-five). There was one point Despite not technically “starting on time” (due to broken glass repairs in the game where he blew by Rasmus Dahlin for a breakaway and behind the Buffalo net), the Leafs were able to come out with the win in ended up hitting the post. He didn’t get rewarded for his play on the this one, defeating the Sabres, 5-2. It was a nice bounce back from their scoresheet, but he was doing an excellent job of driving play up the ice last game (which we don’t need to talk about), so let’s dive a bit deeper and creating chances in the offensive zone (seemingly by himself at into how the team played. some points, making me wonder what he could do with some more How did the team look? skilled linemates).

5-on-5 – Trevor Moore – 8.6 minutes, 3 controlled zone exits, 1 excellent behind- the-net assist When you adjust for score effects (which played a key role in the third period), the Leafs were pretty much break-even, although they I know he barely played eight minutes tonight, but it’s becoming harder surrendered a few more scoring chances than the Sabres at even and harder to not fall in love with Moore’s game. He seems to win every strength. That’s not ideal when you’re facing a team that’s below average loose puck battle, does a great job of moving the puck up the ice and has at driving play, but when you consider the number of cross-ice passes some underrated skill in the offensive zone (which we saw on his Toronto was making in the offensive zone, I’d argue the Leafs played beautiful behind-the-net pass to set up Nic Petan for his first goal as a much better offensively than their five-on-five shot metrics indicated. Maple Leaf). At some point, we’re going to have to talk about moving Moore up the lineup if he keeps playing like this. Power Play – Martin Marincin – Elite puck-carrier The first power play unit looked excellent early on, generating multiple quality chances from in tight (one of which hit The Post). It didn’t look as I never thought I’d be giving Martin Marincin the best grade among Leafs great in the second period, but personally, I’m more concerned with defencemen tonight, but here we are. He actually looked confident with PP2’s performance. They don’t seem to be generating much puck the puck on his stick, making smart plays up the ice and even pulling off movement in the offensive zone and often rely on low-percentage point a few flashy dekes in the offensive zone. shots from Jake Muzzin. There’s definitely some room for improvement He also made a few nifty between-the-legs passes in the defensive zone there. under pressure to get the puck to his forwards in space. I’m not sure how Penalty Kill – sustainable this level of performance is, but I’m sure Marincin will be making a few more fans (and a lot fewer enemies) if he can keep playing Toronto had to kill only two penalties tonight (because, as we all know, like this. there aren’t many penalties in Leafs games). I thought they did a great job of taking away the seam passes in the defensive zone and getting Mike Babcock – *Leafs nation puts their pitchforks down* pucks out when they had the chance. This was a significant step forward I really liked the fact that he rotated Nic Petan into the lineup tonight (it’s from how poorly they defended the Jack Eichel power play Monday. something Leafs fans have been begging him to do in the past with Image from MoneyPuck.com players like Josh Leivo or Justin Holl). I’m also a fan of the line combinations he’s been running lately when you consider the injuries to Player Reports Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott. Overall, I’d say this was a solid performance by the coaching staff. The team came to play Best player on the ice: John Tavares – 19.7 minutes, 1 goal, 2 assists, 5 tonight, looked well-prepared for their opponent (unlike Thursday night) scoring chances, 4 shots on goal, 1 standing ovation and were able to pull off the win. It’s hard to ask for much more than that. JOHN TAVARES RECEIVING A HUGE STANDING OVATION FROM Frederik Andersen – Stopped 35 of 37 shots (.949 save %) THE TORONTO CROWD BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME. PIC.TWITTER.COM/MMN614LLQD Early on, I was fully expecting this to be a one- or two-star performance by Andersen (especially after he gave up that second goal), but he found — FLINTOR (@THEFLINTOR) MARCH 3, 2019 a way to claw his way back and keep Toronto in the game with a few key It must have been nice to follow up Thursday night’s game with a saves in the second half of the game. This is one of those things that’s standing ovation in Toronto, not to mention a standout performance from tough to quantify, but it’s really hard to get yourself back in the right Tavares. He was all over the ice tonight, although his most memorable mindset after letting in a soft one like Andersen did in the first period, but plays came in the offensive zone. He made a few nice passes into the that’s what the best goaltenders in the NHL are able to do. slot, was able to finish on a rebound in front after a Mitch Marner Fun fact: Andersen has arguably been the league’s best goaltender this deflection and ended the night with three points. Not a bad night for the season. hometown hero on #TavaresDayTO Morgan Rielly – Incredible in transition, less than ideal defensively Mitch Marner – 19.6 minutes, 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 shots on goal, 4 controlled zone entries, 1 adorable hug This was my toughest grade to give out because I thought Rielly was excellent at moving the puck tonight (leading Leafs defencemen in If it wasn’t for Tavares’ stellar play, this would have been an easy BPOTI controlled zone exits and entries with six and four, respectively). The selection. Marner was dynamic in transition, using his speed to create other side of the coin is the fact that he got out-chanced 7-18 tonight plenty of offence off the rush. We already mentioned his excellent despite playing most of their minutes with either the Tavares or Marner deflection leading up to Tavares’ goal, but he also added another primary line, which is obviously less than ideal. Throw in the fact that he picked assist in the second period, and tried to grab another one at the end of up a (lucky) goal that got through traffic, and I honestly have no idea how the game (before Zach Hyman watched it go into the empty net for a to grade this performance. You could make a solid case for anywhere goal). The Leafs tend to win a lot of hockey games when Tavares and between two and five stars, but I decided to go with three. Marner are in fine form, which was absolutely the case tonight. Jake Muzzin – “Heavy Hockey” Also, he did this right before the game: I know his Corsi numbers didn’t look great in this one, but I’d argue that a BIRTHDAY HUG FROM MITCH MARNER lot of that can be attributed to Nikita Zaitsev’s poor play (which we’ll talk PIC.TWITTER.COM/NJUS7YNHGT about soon). When I watched Muzzin closely, I saw a player who was making smart pinches in the neutral zone, effective little slip passes the offensive zone. Even if he doesn’t come out of the corner with under pressure, and some big hits when the team needed it (one in possession, one of his biggest strengths is pinning the opposing response to Nic Petan getting rocked earlier in the shift, and another one defenceman to the boards to help buy time for his linemates to come dig later in the game when things were getting chippy). I’m not one to the puck out, but I didn’t think we got to see many of those plays tonight. overvalue “sandpaper” or “grit,” but I thought Muzzin was able to make his mark in that regard while also making some positive plays up the ice. Ron Hainsey – I feel really bad criticizing Ron Hainsey because I don’t think he should be put in the current situation he’s in, but if we’re Patrick Marleau – Olympic Hurdler objectively evaluating his play, he couldn’t make a breakout pass tonight (the only Leafs defenceman with zero controlled zone exits). He made Marleau was actually doing a great job of moving the puck out of the some solid plays defensively (e.g., standing up Skinner in front of the net defensive zone this evening (an area where he typically struggles), but after his breakaway), but there were so many times he had the puck unfortunately, it didn’t result in much off the rush. He often resorted to without any pressure on him and chose to willingly fire it off the boards, dump-ins at the opposing blue line and losing the race to the puck in the conceding possession. Those are my biggest pet peeves when I’m corner. With that being said, he generated a few solid scoring chances in evaluating defencemen, and unfortunately, they’ve been a trend for him the offensive zone, not to mention hurdling over Brandon Montour for a this season. breakaway in the third period. Maple Leafs Forward, Nikita Zetsov – That’s how you pronounce it, right, MARLEAU HOPS OVER MONTOUR AND GETS THE BREAKAWAY, ? All jokes aside, that was one of Zaitsev’s worst starts to a BUT ULLMARK STANDS HIS GROUND. game we’ve seen in a while. He wasn’t able to complete a pass out of his PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZQFTVNGBLQ zone, and his gap control was far too passive in transition (giving up tons — FLINTOR (@THEFLINTOR) MARCH 3, 2019 of space to Conor Sheary in a one-on-one leading up to his goal — although if we’re being realistic, an NHL goaltender has to make that That was pretty awesome, especially for a 39-year-old. save). With that being said, he started to turn things around a little bit in the back half of the game. He looked more confident with the puck, Connor Brown – Great through the neutral zone, not in the offensive started moving his feet more in transition, and was actually making some zone solid passes up the ice. Much as with Marleau, I thought this was a great game for Brown in Worst player on the ice: Igor Ozhiganov – It’s never a good sign when transition. He had the second-most controlled zone exits and zone Marincin is the skilled puck-handler on your pairing, but that was the case entries after Nylander, but wasn’t able to create any offence out of it. tonight. Ozhiganov was really struggling to move the puck under There were a few times where his linemates tried to get him the puck in pressure (despite facing sheltered competition). There was one time he the slot and it would bounce off his stick for a turnover. threw the puck out front and put it right on a Buffalo forward’s tape in the Kasperi Kapanen – Goon 3: That’s Kappy slot. Luckily for Ozhiganov, it didn’t result in a goal, but I thought that was a pretty good microcosm for how his night went. I didn’t think this was Kapanen’s best game. He made a few nice plays off the rush, but he didn’t look as dynamic as he usually does with the Are we sure he actually played tonight? puck on his stick. More importantly, though … he actually fought Frederik Gauthier – As someone who watches very closely for graph- someone tonight? Screw it, we’re going to give him three stars for that able Gauthier moments, there wasn’t anything of note tonight other than alone (I don’t care if it doesn’t make any sense). him finishing his check once on the forecheck. Fun thought: I’d love to Nic Petan – Not his greatest game … but he scored a goal and hip- see the Leafs test out an Ennis-Petan-Moore fourth line. checked Rasmus Ristolainen Game Score Even though I’m a Nic Petan super-fan, I was prepared to give him a Most important GIF of the night one-star grade tonight. He wasn’t doing much to move the puck up the ice in transition, was losing a ton of puck battles in all three zones and DUBAS LOVES IT. PIC.TWITTER.COM/SHRD9VZQX9 didn’t seem to be moving the needle on the power play. Then this happened. — NICK DESOUZA (@NICKDESOUZA_) MARCH 3, 2019

SLICK NIC SNEAKS IN AND WIRES THE ONE-TIMER FOR HIS FIRST You just know Dubas wants to run a fourth line with three speedy, skilled AS A LEAF! #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/MSTDJPWXKR players (it’s what his teams did when he was running the Soo).

— TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (@MAPLELEAFS) MARCH 3, 2019 Final thoughts from the game

I know it’s only one shot, but it was a quick release and he put the puck Although they weren’t facing the toughest opponent tonight, Toronto right where he needed to. That’s worth two stars in my book, especially looked pretty solid in all three facets of the game. They moved the puck when you consider it gave us a classic Kyle Dubas GIF (which we’ll get pretty well, were able to create some pre-shot movement in the offensive to soon). He also decided to go full Mighty Ducks on Ristolainen, so zone and didn’t look like a disaster defensively despite missing two of we’re going to bump him up to three stars for fun (I’m in a good mood their best blueliners. Considering how poorly the team played against the tonight). Islanders on Thursday night, this was a nice follow-up performance to get things back on track. Andreas Johnsson – This one’s tough because Johnsson had two of the best scoring opportunities tonight (one on the power play where he hit Final Grade: B- the post, and another at even strength where he prematurely celebrated The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 following an Auston Matthews cross-crease pass). When you think about it, though, both of those chances were created by great passes (Tavares on the power play and Matthews at five-on-five), and Johnsson wasn’t able to convert. I didn’t think he did much else to significantly impact the game, so we’re going to settle in the two-star range. Not a terrible night, but we’ve definitely seen him play much better.

Auston Matthews – Speaking of which, I feel like that last sentence summarizes Matthews’ night pretty well. As I mentioned, he made that beautiful pass to Johnsson for what should have been a tap-in, but other than that, Matthews wasn’t making many plays at even strength. His line got outshot and out-chanced despite spending most of their minutes against Evan Rodrigues and company. You’d like to see a better performance than that from your franchise centre.

Zach Hyman – There were a few times tonight where we saw the trademark Zach Hyman Hustle (beating out a couple of icings), but I thought he was losing a lot more one-on-one puck battles than usual in 1134208 Toronto Maple Leafs It was cool because then Penguin Random House merged, and now I’m a Penguin Random House author.

Joe Bluhm is a pretty accomplished guy. How did that connection get Q&A: Zach Hyman, the busiest Leaf, on his children’s books, his gaming made? company and You Can Play He was an Academy Award-winning illustrator, and I actually kind of just

cold-called him. By Scott Wheeler No way. Mar 2, 2019 Yep (laughs), and I sent him a copy of what I wrote and the relationship between the main character and his grandfather hit home with him and he wanted to do it just because he had just rekindled his relationship with Seventeen hours after the buzzer sounded on an ugly 6-1 loss in Long his grandfather, and he started to learn more about his stories and had Island, Zach Hyman is at the Toronto Reference Library ahead of a busy grown really close with his grandfather. It’s cool to see a guy like that get afternoon of book reading. attached to one of my stories, and then to have him illustrate it was pretty special. He’s there, inside the second floor’s Novella Room, as part of Head & Shoulders’ Headstrong campaign to read a group of local children his What’s your creative process like in terms of sitting down and writing? book, Hockey Hero, and make a small donation to the library’s children’s How do you formulate these ideas, and then when do you find the time in literacy initiatives. your schedule to really sit down?

The second of Hyman’s three children’s novels to date, Hockey Hero The writing process is hard, as you know (chuckles). You think you can (published in 2015) tells the story of 8-year-old Tommy Toomay, who, write a great story, and then all of a sudden you sit on it and you leave it under the guidance of his hockey-mad grandfather, overcomes his for a week and you come back to it and all of a sudden it’s not so good season-long nerves in the championship game. It follows 2014’s The and it’s frustrating at times, but you come back to it and you work on it Bambino and Me, a story on a young Yankees fan’s first game, and and there’s a lot of drafts and a lot of edits, and you work with your editor precedes 2018’s The Magician’s Secret, which tells the story of a again and again, hoping you come up with a final product. grandfather, a grandson and the power of their shared imagination. You touched on history as your major in college (Hyman graduated with Hyman’s children’s authorship is just one of the many passions he a 3.7 GPA and was named the University of Michigan’s top student- juggles. On Friday afternoon, The Athletic sat down with the busiest Leaf athlete). Was part of that influenced by – to discuss everything (from the books and his gaming company to his role as the Leafs’ You Can Play ambassador) … except hockey. Yeah, writing. I loved writing essays. I was big into history, and also I just loved the stories and the aspects behind different people writing different You’re in a library on your day off after a back-to-back, so let’s start with histories dependent on perspectives. your authorship. There seems to be a generational influence in each of the books. How did your two grandfathers play into the stories? Were you always a big reader growing up?

They factor into all my books. My grandfather on my mom’s side was Yeah, I loved it. I loved kids’ books, I read the Harry Potter series, Lord of Romanian, and he was a Holocaust survivor and he passed away when I the Rings as I got older, and I really just loved fantasy stories and make- was pretty young, probably 8 or 9 years old, and I got to learn stories believe stories because it takes you away from what you’re doing. from him – and he probably didn’t tell me the in-depth stories because I You were the oldest of five. I would imagine you must have grown up was a kid. I got to learn about him from my mom and my grandmother, reading to them as the big brother. we call her nagy, she’s Hungarian. Yeah, yeah, that’s exactly it. Bedtime stories to make sure they’re going And then my dad’s dad, who is my biggest fan and watches every single to bed. I would always read them kids’ books. game, he was kind of the storyteller, and he would always play jokes on me and my brothers and he’d tell us stories about how he played in the You’ve got a lot else going on. Healthy Planet, Head and Shoulders. I NFL or the MLB and we’d go and tell our friends this and they would know strength and conditioning is a big thing for you (Hyman is the Leafs’ make fun of us or laugh at us and we would go “No, no, no, we’re ironman and won a series of awards in college for his dedication to serious.” And then they believed us and we had the whole school that our fitness). Have you studied that side of it, too? grandpa was a star (laughs) baseball player for the Yankees, and then later we found out he wasn’t. Absolutely. Everything that I do, I make sure that it had a big impact on me, so the Healthy Planet stuff was nutritional-based and making sure That’s where the storytelling came from, and that’s why I wanted to write that kids are eating and then the Head and Shoulders stuff is all about about them. In the hockey book, you have the grandfather who is the confidence, and the Headstrong Campaign, which I’ve now been a part biggest fan and that’s where that comes from. of for months now, is all about overcoming adversity and pushing through and finding your confidence, and it relates to hockey but it also relates to The hockey book and the baseball book are one thing. What led you to writing because all of my books, they have that theme of believing in The Magician’s Secret? yourself and overcoming obstacles. That’s also my grandfather. You can see there’s a theme here. The Hockey Hero has got a lot of elements of that, and that’s why it was great magician one was really fun for me to write because I got to explore to partner with such an iconic brand. something outside of sports. And history was my major in college, so being able to tell stories and weave into things that I learned through Walk me through Eleven Gaming and getting started with that as well. school was kind of cool, and then putting in the make-believe stuff and You’re wearing a lot of hats these days. the power of imagination was something that I really liked. That was a big passion of mine, was gaming. I think a lot of players in not How did you get connected with Penguin Random House and Tundra just the NHL but sports play video games as an outlet to escape the Books? Where did this whole writing of books thing begin for you? bubble. You’re in such a high-pressurized environment that you need to sometimes get away, and reading for me is one of the ways, but gaming When I was in Grade 7, I wrote Hockey Hero as a short story is also another way, and you’re able to go online and play with your competition. I worked on it throughout high school and then I got it self- buddies and I like to turn passions into business and try to explore other published, and it won an award and the teacher was like, “You’ve got to interests. publish this, you’ve got to publish this.” So we published it and then I got drafted by Florida and I was a published children’s author (chuckles) who So starting Eleven Gaming, I wanted to invest in e-sports at the time, I was drafted in the NHL, and I took my books around to different didn’t know how, this was last September, I met with a couple of e-sports publishers trying to take it to the next step, and Random House at the companies that intrigued me, but I thought that the best way that I could time, they merged later with Penguin, was the one who resonated with get in was to do my own thing and start it. We’ve really grown since our me and we signed a contract with them and then I was able to write two launch in September. Now we’ve got 12 professional Fortnite players and more and I’ve got a fourth one that I’m working on. a bunch of content guys, and we’re actually finishing up an acquisition to acquire another company, which is really cool. That’s closing next week so I can’t go into too much detail, but that’s going to be a really cool announcement.

Do you have an appreciation for those guys in terms of the grind?

Oh, yeah, it’s a sport for sure. Those guys put in hours, man. Some of the guys train 10 hours a day practicing, trying to make sure that they stay relevant on Twitch, which is the platform to be watched on. They go from being recreational players to all of a sudden playing for real money.

There’s a tournament going on right now actually, a $500,000 tournament in Poland that we have five guys who are there, and Fortnite released a $100 million world cup competition starting in April, so these guys go from sitting and playing games for fun to playing games for fun but now there’s something on the line, and that’s where I think that I can come in and help and give them a little bit of a mental edge, just because I’m always in those pressurized situations as an athlete and now you’re throwing kids into it. Our youngest guy is 16 years old and he is playing for $100 million. It can weigh on somebody.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on the fourth book. I haven’t solidified what I want it to be about yet. I think it will go back to sports. But I love kids’ books just because it gives me an outlet to reach out and talk to kids and it gives me a platform to be able to spread the message. So that’s great, and I’m just working on the fourth one. Who knows, maybe I’ll go into bigger books and write more stuff, but right now I’m just focused on the fun stuff.

You just had You Can Play night with the Leafs. JvR was the ambassador before. How have you enjoyed that partnership this year and the leadership role that comes with it?

It was great. James was the ambassador for a few years before I was, and I learned from him about You Can Play and seeing him being engaged with it, I think it was important and we had that one night where we represented the foundation and put the tape around our sticks and went out and brought it to the forefront, but I think it’s an everyday kind of thing and it’s important to represent the things that you believe in, and that’s something that I believe in.

How do you think the dressing room culture would embrace someone who was out?

I think it’s progressing. I think that it would be fine. I’m sure that there have been guys in the past who didn’t feel comfortable coming out. You’ve got to think with the numbers that maybe there was somebody who was gay and just didn’t come out. I think that society, in general, is becoming more and more accepting because it’s just common sense. It doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is, if you can play hockey or you want to watch hockey or be involved in hockey, we welcome you with open arms.

I know you got engaged. How’s the wedding planning going?

It’s good. I’m in the background of it. Alannah, my fiancée, is running the show (laughs), and I’m excited to see what it all turns out like. It’ll be in the summertime, so it should be good.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134209 Toronto Maple Leafs All right, enough preamble, let’s get to the results:

As you can see, Toronto has performed noticeably worse in the first period this season compared to the second period. This is particularly Tulloch: Why haven’t the Maple Leafs been ‘starting on time’ this true when you adjust for shot quality, where Toronto owns the league’s season? biggest difference in DFF%.

It’s important to point out that these are small samples we’re dealing with By Ian Tulloch (so naturally there’s going to be some noise in the data), but clearly something has been going on this season. The numbers back up the Mar 2, 2019 narrative; Toronto simply hasn’t been “starting on time” this season, although they’ve been able to climb back in games after dominating the

second period (like we’ve seen against Edmonton, Buffalo, and St Louis “I think you just got to make sure you come to the rink on time and work recently). hard. We didn’t start on time and that’s going to cost you.” Now that we’ve objectively proven that this has been a trend this season, That’s a Mike Babcock quote from 2017, but it fits well with the recent we have to ask ourselves the following: narrative in Leafs Nation. Why is this happening? There have been quite a few games lately where the team has started off The Leafs are clearly a skilled team that has the talent to take over flat against their opponents early in the game and followed it up with a games, but for whatever reason, they haven’t been able to start games dominant second period. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to write about this topic like that this season. Watching the team closely, it’s very noticeable when because, typically, when you see people talking about slow starts in they’ve “flipped the switch” as a group; players are flying through the sports, it’s often more of media-driven narrative than anything (often neutral zone, winning most of the races to loose pucks, and generating based on tiny small samples). Taking the temperature of the fanbase, tons of scoring chances with their creativity in the offensive zone. though, it feels like an area worth diving into. I’ve often compared it to Harlem Globetrotters hockey. With that in mind, my goal today is to determine if there’s a quantifiable trend that indicates Toronto has been starting off games poorly this IT’S CRAZY HOW THE LEAFS CAN PLAY 15 MINUTES OF SLOPPY season relative to the rest of the league. HOCKEY, THEN GO INTO GLOBETROTTERS MODE FOR 4 MINUTES AND SCORE 3 QUICK GOALS BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE IT. The last part of that sentence is crucial.

As fans, we tend to focus so much on our favourite team that we don’t — IAN TULLOCH (@IANGRAPH) FEBRUARY 7, 2019 notice similar things happening around the league (e.g. every other NHL WHEN THE LEAFS FLICK THE SWITCH LIKE THIS, THEY LOOK LIKE head coach giving big minutes to an ineffective defenceman – Dan THE GODDAMN HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS. MAKES ME WONDER Girardi, Jay Bouwmeester, Jack Johnson, the list goes on). It’s easy to WHY THEY SEEM TO START MOST GAMES LOOKING LIKE THE get caught up in the drama that’s created in Toronto, but we need to WASHINGTON GENERALS. make sure we’re comparing trends to the other 30 teams around the league. — IAN TULLOCH (@IANGRAPH) FEBRUARY 28, 2019

So, are the Leafs “starting on time” significantly less often than the rest of When the Leafs kick things into full throttle, they’re a force to be the NHL? Let’s find out. reckoned with. Unfortunately, that tends to only happen in the second period this season. Why is that the case? Testing our theory Theory #1: Style of play In my opinion, the best way to go about quantifying how “well” a team played is by looking at their five-on-five performance. It’s the most One theory I’ve heard floated out there is the team’s style of play. For important part of the game (where 80 percent of minutes are played), but those who may not know, the Leafs have relied heavily on the stretch it’s also an area that requires significantly more effort than the power pass over the past two seasons. It’s a play the takes advantage of the play. There are instances where a highly-skilled team can rack up a few space on the ice vertically, especially when the opponent is changing goals with the man advantage and steal a game it didn’t necessarily lines (and there’s more room available at the far blue line). deserve to win (reminding me of the Herb Brooks quote “winning on talent alone”), but I’m far more interested in a team’s ability to control The difference in the second period is that each team has the long play at even strength. change (with the benches being much farther away from your defensive zone than in the first and third period). In theory, this should allow a After tinkering with a few different ideas, I decided to compare every stretch-passing team like Toronto to take advantage of bad line changes team’s five-on-five performance in the first period to their performance in more often in the second period (resulting in higher quality scoring the second period. The reason I’ve excluded the third period is because opportunities). score effects tend to take over later in the game. For example, if you have a three-goal lead heading into the final frame, you’re going to be I really liked this theory, but unfortunately, last year’s results appear to playing much more conservatively (allowing more shots and scoring disprove it. chances, but ideally less dangerous passes through the middle of the The 2017-18 Leafs also relied heavily on the stretch pass, yet their ice). numbers look better in the first period compared to the second. I guess Now, this isn’t a perfect way of doing things; it’s never ideal to eliminate that contradicts our reasoning. data when we’re already dealing with small samples. After going through Theory #2: Youth all of Toronto’s games this season, though, I noticed that score effects were playing a huge role in the third period, to the extent where I felt the In the process of debunking that last theory, I ended up myth-busting score adjustments on websites like Natural Stat Trick might not be another one when I went back and looked at Toronto’s numbers over the properly accounting for the phenomenon. past two seasons. I’ve heard the argument that Toronto’s youth could help explain their slow starts, but two years ago the Leafs were one of Thanks to Ganesh Murdeshwar (better known as @OilersNerdAlert on the NHL’s hottest teams in the first period despite dressing eight rookies Hockey Twitter), I was able to compare Toronto’s shot metrics in the first most nights (most of whom played key roles). two periods for 2018-19. We’re going to be focusing on two key metrics: It’s funny to joke about the young Leafs procrastinating hockey games Shot Share (CF%): The percentage of all shot attempts your team like university students do with assignments, but the evidence just controls at five-on-five. doesn’t support that conclusion. If youth was a key factor in explaining Dangerous Fenwick (DFF%): Similar to an Expected Goals model, this the team’s slow starts, we would expect them to have been much worse metric tries to account for shot quality. For readers who aren’t as stats- in this department a few years ago. When you look at the numbers, obsessed as me, just consider this a “scoring chances” metric (SCF%), though, it’s clear that the team has been significantly better at “starting on but for my fellow nerds out there, you can read more about it here. time” over the past two seasons. Theory #3: Fatigue equal after 40 minutes, I don’t really care which period my team played better (although I’d be curious to hear some arguments to the contrary in This is one I hadn’t thought about until I looked at Toronto’s schedule. the comments section). They played a lot of games in February. One that I’m sure will come up is the fact that you don’t want to fall I found it pretty crazy that the Leafs played their most games in the behind early and have to chase the game all night, which I completely shortest month of the year, but that’s the way their schedule turned out understand. You want to have the lead, much like the 2016-17 this season. Washington Capitals, who spent the most time with the lead over the last Keeping that in mind, it makes sense that fatigue would set in more in decade (averaging 28:46 minutes per game with the lead). February, especially when you consider we’re more than halfway through That’s one heck of a list to find yourself at the top of. You would imagine the season (getting into the “dog days” of the year where your body’s that Washington got off to strong starts in 2016-17 to help them hold all tired and you’re not quite gearing up for the playoffs yet). Looking at the those leads, right? numbers, Toronto’s play seemed to reflect this, with the difference between their first and second periods looking even more stark in Nope. February. Going through the numbers, I found that the 2016-17 Capitals were the Now, much like this entire article, it’s important to know that this closest comparable to Toronto in regard to slow starts and dominant argument goes both ways. On the one hand, Toronto is starting off quite second periods. As frustrating as that trend has been for Leafs fans this slow relative to their talent. On the other hand, they’ve been crushing season, it’s nice to know that a former Presidents’ Trophy winner their opponents in the second period. Considering how many games the followed a similar path. team played in such a short amount of time this past month, it’s pretty impressive that they were able to surge back and dominate most of their I’m sure many people will point out that Washington didn’t win the games in the second period. Stanley Cup that year, but they probably should have when you break things down. They completely dominated the eventual cup winner, This is a tricky one where you could make a solid argument for fatigue Pittsburgh, in their seven-game series that year (controlling over 60 impacting the team’s performance (since they weren’t starting well percent of the shots and 62 percent of the scoring chances in round two). relative to their talent), but you could also make a good case that the If it wasn’t for Braden Holtby’s .881 save percentage in the second round, opposite is true – how were they able to play so well in the second period Washington would have won that series and we’d probably be talking if they were exhausted? It’s not an easy question to answer, and it’s about one of the most dominant seasons in NHL history. always tough when we’re dealing with tiny samples like this (that we’ve divvied up into even smaller pieces by slicing the data into three separate After all of that, I’m not really sure what we can definitively conclude periods). based on the evidence. We’ve established that the Leafs have been performing much better in the second period this season compared to the That leads us to our final theory. first period, but it’s tough to know how much meaning we can derive from that. If the NHL’s best team in 2016-17 could find success despite not Theory #4: Variance “starting on time” in the regular season, maybe we’re overestimating how Any time you’re dealing with small samples, there’s a higher likelihood much impact the first period has on results. that what you’re looking at doesn’t reflect the true phenomenon. For If nothing else, we’ve learned that if you want to watch the NHL’s version example, if we flipped a coin 10 times and got heads eight times, would of the Harlem Globetrotters, you should tune in for a Maple Leafs we assume that the true odds of getting heads was 80 percent? We game… in the second period. wouldn’t, because we know that we need a lot more flips before the number of heads represents the true probably of 50 percent. The Athletic LOADED: 03.03.2019

We’re dealing with a similar issue here. It’s hard enough to get meaningful samples with single-season data in the NHL, but by cutting that up into individual periods (and then individual months in the previous section), we’re significantly shrinking our sample size. That introduces a bunch of statistical noise, which reduces the likelihood of these numbers having a lot of meaning (e.g. predictive value).

I still think it’s an interesting trend that we’ve observed (descriptively speaking, the Leafs have been starting slower in the first period and playing much better in the second period). Is that to say it will continue in the future? It’s tough to say, especially considering we’ve seen an opposite trend in their previous two seasons.

Much like evaluating goaltenders in a small sample, we might just need to throw our hands up in the air and yell “voodoo” on this one.

Does it really matter?

The reason I wrote this article is because I thought it was a fascinating trend backed up by both the numbers and the eye test. After thinking about it for an unhealthy amount of time, though, I started to ask myself: does this really matter?

When you think about it, the first and second period count equally towards the outcome of a game (you don’t get bonus points for outplaying your opponent in the first 20 minutes). You obviously want to control the game in both the first and second frame, but in theory, it doesn’t matter if you perform better in one period or the other.

For example, here are three hypothetical teams.

Which team would you rather be?

I’ve thought about this for quite a while, but I keep coming back to the same answer: it doesn’t matter. Assuming we’ve adjusted for score effects and there aren’t any drastic circumstances (e.g. going up 5-0 in the first period), these are teams with an identical shot differential and scoring chance differential heading into the third. I’d rather have a team that dominated both periods, but if the shots, chances, and goals are 1134210 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.03.2019

Playing meaningful games in March sharpens Golden Knights’ focus

By David Schoen

It goes without saying that Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant would rather be atop the Pacific Division standings with 16 games remaining than battling for a playoff spot. But the Knights’ current position could have an unintended benefit. After coasting through the past six weeks, the Knights have been forced to take off the emergency break and clean up their game in order to hold off upstart Arizona for third place. They’ll carry a three-game win streak into Sunday’s matinee against the Vancouver Canucks at T-Mobile Arena. “Last year we were in an awesome spot. We were fighting for first place at this time of the year last year,” Gallant said. “I wish I was in first place again, but we’re battling for a playoff spot and it’s all about getting into the playoffs because the teams are so close nowadays. “I like where we’re at. I like the way we played the last three games. Just keep going and keep building points.” To Gallant’s point, there are several recent examples of teams that were primed for a postseason run by playing meaningful games in March. In 2012, Los Angeles battled down to the wire for the Pacific Division title before finishing two points behind first-place Arizona. But the Kings went 12-4-3 in their final 19 games and won the Stanley Cup despite garnering the eighth and final seed in the playoffs. Chicago took a standing eight count at the end of a Central Division battle royal in 2015 and finished with the third seed, two points out of second and two ahead of the first wild card. The Blackhawks, who were 9-3-1 that March, won their third Stanley Cup in six years. San Jose in 2016 might be the closest situation to what the Knights face. The Sharks finished 20 points ahead of fourth place and were unable to overtake Anaheim or Los Angeles for the top two spots in the division despite winning five of their final seven. But they caught fire in the playoffs and reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Pittsburgh in six games. All this goes to show that iron sharpens iron. “I think it’s just more important for us to have gone through a little bit of perseverance this year and had to come out of the hole and dig ourselves out and battle a little bit,” defenseman Jon Merrill said. “You get to know each other better. You test the character of the group, and we’re a strong group, so it just helps us out that way.” The Coyotes temporarily moved within four points of the Knights on two occasions last week, and the Knights lead Arizona by six points after the Coyotes’ 3-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday. Vancouver, meanwhile, has faded in its past 10 games (3-5-2) after threatening to challenge for a playoff berth at one point. “You want to be in that playoff atmosphere, you want to be playing these teams that are either pushing for a spot or pushing to get up the standings, because that gets you ready for the playoffs,” right wing Ryan Reaves said. “Those are better than teams that are just kind of trying to get to the golf season.” One sign the Knights are no longer in cruise control is their recent play in the third period. After being outscored 19-9 during the third in their first 11 games after the All-Star break, the Knights have a 5-1 advantage in the final period in the past three games. “Before that, we had bad habits. But right now we’re closing games,” left wing Jonathan Marchessault said. “We’re up 2-0 going into the third period (against Anaheim on Friday) and playing the right way. We’re winning games that are 1-1 going into the third. We’re a pretty confident group. We know we can get the job done. We’ve been doing it the past three games, we just need to keep doing it.”

1134211 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ first line raises play after Mark Stone trade

By Ben Gotz

The addition of winger Mark Stone has given the Golden Knights a physical two-way presence on the right side of their second line. It also gave their first line a kick in the pants. William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith saw how teammates Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty played with Stone and decided not to get left behind. “They make us want to be better, too,” Karlsson said. “Thanks to them for showing the way. We want to be just as good as them.” Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith didn’t want to be a first line in name only, so they’ve raised their play after the trade deadline. In the Knights’ past three games, all wins, they have combined for six points (three goals, three assists). They’ve also been on the ice for 19 scoring chances for and 14 against. Stone, Stastny and Pacioretty’s line has been a part of 23 scoring chances for and 17 against in the same span. “I think they feel real good, they feel real confident,” coach Gerard Gallant said of the first line. “When we made the trade for Stone, I think a lot of people said, ‘Let’s get going. We’re a better team than this.’ I think everybody feels better about themselves.” Breaking out Forward Alex Tuch scored his first goal since Jan. 23 on Friday when he got behind the defense and beat Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson with a backhand shot. It broke a stretch of 14 games without a goal for the talented 22-year-old, who is fourth on the team with 17 goals. Tuch had four assists during his scoreless streak, but also endured a seven-game stretch without a point. “I didn’t think he had the energy (the last couple weeks),” Gallant said. “I think he looked a little sluggish, a little tired. He played fine. He wasn’t costing us anything, but I expect a lot from him. He’s a young player who has played really well this season. But they’re going to go through those little slumps like he did.” Health update Gallant said he was expecting optimistic news about forward William Carrier when he met with the training staff Saturday afternoon. “I think he’s going to go on the ice soon,” Gallant said of the physical forward. “We’ll know a little bit more later today.” Carrier missed more than a month with an upper-body injury before returning Feb. 9. He played in four games before suffering another upper-body injury during a win over Nashville on Feb. 16. “It’s been a little more than two weeks,” Gallant said. “He’s getting better. Hopefully (we’ll have him back) within the next couple weeks.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134212 Vegas Golden Knights

NHL trade deadline sets up tight Western Conference race

By Ben Gotz

The NHL’s trade deadline made something clear: The race to the top of the Western Conference should be intense. The fight for the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl appears to be wide open after each contender added to its team. Unlike the Eastern Conference, where the Tampa Bay Lightning are heavy favorites, there are six teams in the West with a 10 percent chance or greater to go to the Stanley Cup Final, according to Hockey-Reference.com. That should make the last month-plus of the season interesting as teams jockey for playoff position. “You have to grab your confidence where you can,” Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “You don’t want any team in your conference to feel like they got your number, so every time you can win it’s a positive.” The Jets are one point ahead of the Nashville Predators in the Central Division after adding a second-line center in Kevin Hayes and depth players Matt Hendricks and Bogdan Kiselevich. The Predators responded by acquiring wingers Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund, who should help improve their last-ranked power play (12.5 percent). “We work on it constantly, on the ice or on video,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said after a 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights on Feb. 16. “It’s just not working.” The Pacific Division has a clearer pecking order, as the Calgary Flames are five points ahead of the second-place San Jose Sharks and the Sharks have a nine-point lead on the third-place Knights entering Saturday’s games. That doesn’t mean either team below the Flames has given up, though, as the Sharks brought in winger Gusev Nyquist and the Knights traded for “the top player available at the deadline,” according to general manager George McPhee, in winger Mark Stone. The Knights have won three straight since acquiring Stone and have a 10.1 percent chance of repeating as Western Conference champions, according to Hockey-Reference. “I look at standings all the time,” Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. “I don’t pay a lot of attention to them, but I look at them all the time. Gotta win. The bottom line is, we control our own destiny. We have to win hockey games.” Winning gets more difficult this time of the season with teams battling for seeding and playoff spots. The Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars also made trades at the deadline as they fight for the conference’s two wild-card spots. “For a lot of teams, their playoffs have already started, so we’re going to have to make sure we’re matching that intensity,” Knights defenseman Colin Miller said. “I expect teams are probably going to want to be playing their best hockey, meshing their team and getting things shored up for the playoffs.” iPad stats The NHL began providing coaches with a new iPad app after the All-Star break that provides 60 real-time statistics during games. That’s in addition to the league’s iBench app, which allows coaches and players the ability to review video on the bench. “Some guys like it, some guys don’t,” Gallant said. “A lot of guys like to see some of the iPad stuff, especially special teams situations.” Lightning stay quiet The Lightning were one Stanley Cup contender that didn’t make a move at the deadline. That’s a defensible position when you have a league- leading 102 points and plus-80 goal differential entering Saturday’s games.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134213 Vegas Golden Knights The Chicago Blackhawks are the NHL’s best over team in the first period and for the full game. Chicago has a 50-15 (76.9 percent) over-under record in the first period and is 43-18-4 (70.5) over the total overall. Knights not golden for NHL bettors in second season The Blackhawks have gone over in 14 straight games and 21 of their past 22. By Todd Dewey LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.03.2019 Short of Golden Knights bettors cashing long shot tickets to win the Stanley Cup, seemingly every other wager they placed turned to gold in Vegas’ magical inaugural season. But betting on the Knights this season has been a losing proposition. Despite their winning record (35-26-5), a $100 bettor would be down $690 after placing a straight bet on Vegas in every game, according to Covers.com. The Knights went 29-10-2 at T-Mobile Arena last season but are 19-10-4 at home this season. Much like the high cost of beer at T-Mobile, Vegas bettors have to pay inflated prices at home. The Knights have closed as a 2-1 favorite or more in 12 games and as at least a minus 240 favorite in six, including Sunday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks. This helps explain why wagering on the Knights is way down this season at Las Vegas sportsbooks. So much so that shortly before Tuesday’s home game against the Stars — which Vegas entered as a minus 215 favorite despite 10 losses in 13 games — Westgate sportsbook vice president Jay Kornegay tweeted, “Non-believers? We haven’t taken one straight bet on the #VGK tonight.” “It’s dropped off a bit because the prices are so enormous,” Kornegay said. “That was one of the reasons why we probably didn’t see too much action on the Knights against Dallas. “When they struggle, it certainly drops off. But we still see more action on them than any other game. It certainly doesn’t compare to last year, but if they start playing like Misfits again, it won’t take long until we see those levels again.” Points taken Vegas beat the Stars 4-1 to start a three-game winning streak and push its point total to 75 with 16 games left in the regular season. The Knights opened the playoffs on a 13-3 run last season and will need a similar surge down the stretch to top their points total, which opened at 95½ and closed at 101½. “We got a ton of money over 95½ up to 101½,” Westgate sportsbook director John Murray said. “The Stanley Cup is always our biggest liability, but we have pretty big liabilities on the division and point total over. “It looks like we’ll win both of those here, but all our guys want to see the Knights make the playoffs so we can go to some playoff games.” Knights 10-1 to win Cup When Vegas acquired right wing Mark Stone from the Ottawa Senators at Monday’s trade deadline, the Westgate kept the Knights’ odds to win the Stanley Cup at 12-1. But after Tuesday’s win, it moved their odds to 10-1, behind the Lightning at 7-2 and Sharks, Maple Leafs and Flames at 8-1. “Getting Mark Stone definitely moved the needle. He’s a game changer,” Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “The Knights have such a huge advantage in goaltending with Marc-Andre Fleury. “If they can get back on track at how good they’ve been at T-Mobile in the past, I think they have a real good shot to play in the Western Conference Final again.” Money teams The NHL’s biggest moneymakers through Friday are the league-leading Lightning (plus $1,462), Islanders ($1,285), Flames ($944), Coyotes ($635) and Blues ($555). The biggest losers have been the Kings (minus $1,369), Devils ($1,146), Ducks ($1,086), Avalanche ($1,008) and Oilers ($976). Hot trend Six teams have gone over in the first period this season at a clip of at least 64 percent, though books have accounted for the trend by charging up to 2-1 on over 1½ goals in some games. Blackhawk up 1134214 Washington Capitals recent seasons, posting up in front of the net where there tends to be less space. Against the Islanders on Friday night, he skated up to the net and then batted in a rebound out of the air. Alex Ovechkin will probably hit 50 goals this season. What about 60? “That’s the thing that I’ve probably been most surprised about in my five years here coaching the player,” Capitals Coach Todd Reirden said. “He continues to find different ways to find the back of the net.” By Isabelle Khurshudyan Ovechkin said after the game that he wasn’t aware that tally made him March 2 at 12:38 PM the only player with 10 45-goal seasons until teammates told him. He acknowledged it was special, but he largely shrugged it off, long accustomed to making some new bit of history each time he scores. Maybe he’s not thinking about a 60-goal campaign yet, but the closer he UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The day was April 7, 2012, the game was in gets, the more others will. Winnipeg, and the feat was so stunning that even the rival fan base gave it a standing ovation. In the third period of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s last “I mean, you’ve seen the prowess to score that he still has,” Stamkos game of the season, a 22-year-old Steven Stamkos scored his 60th goal said. “But 60 goals, you never in your wildest dreams think you’re going of the season, and teammate Teddy Purcell immediately snagged the to get that.” puck as a keepsake. It’s the last time the milestone has been reached.

“If anyone’s going to do it again, it’ll most likely be Ovi,” Stamkos said recently. Washington Post LOADED: 03.03.2019 Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 45th goal of this season in a 3-1 win against the New York Islanders on Friday night, making him the only player in NHL history with 10 campaigns of at least 45 goals. Fifty has long been the bar for him, and with 17 games to go, he almost certainly will hit that for the eighth time in his career. A 60-goal season is within reach, too; his rate of 0.70 goals per game this season would have to increase to 0.88 down the stretch — not easy but not impossible. Ovechkin has eclipsed 60 goals once in his career, during the 2007-08 season when he scored 65 and finished with 112 points. That had been the first 60-goal year since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96. Six games ago, when Ovechkin scored his 41st and 42nd goals of the season in Los Angeles, he was asked whether he had started to think about 60 as a possibility for this season. “No,” he replied curtly. Yet during his current eight-game point streak, he has scored seven goals — the same rate he must maintain to reach 60. He’s understandably more concerned with getting ready for what the Capitals hope will be another long playoff run than maintaining that 0.88 average for 17 more games, but if Ovechkin has proved anything in his career, it’s that there seemingly are no limits to what he can do. He’s poised to become just the fourth player age 33 or older to score at least 50 goals in a season, and the last time that happened was Jagr in 2005-06, Ovechkin’s rookie year. Over the past 10 games, five of his eight goals have come on the power play, which has become a threat again after a midseason slump. The left faceoff circle is his “office,” where he often slams in one-timers, especially on a man advantage. Though Ovechkin and Stamkos play different positions and possess different styles, they have that spot on the ice in common. “They’re very similar in terms of guys being able to hit pucks from that area when they’re coming fast,” Capitals forward Brett Connolly said. “It’s a special talent for sure.” Connolly was a rookie for the Lightning the year Stamkos scored 60, and with Tampa Bay out of the playoff picture that season, players could focus on individual goals down the stretch perhaps more than they otherwise would. Stamkos got hot after Christmas, scoring 40 goals over the last 48 games. He tallied his 50th goal in his 69th game, and it took 10 goals in the final nine games to reach that rare marker. Seven years later, Stamkos said he would trade that feat for more team success, but “it was obviously something that was as close to a once-in- a-lifetime type of thing that you’re going to get,” he said. If there was a year to score 60 again, this would seemingly be it. Teams are averaging 3.05 goals, a considerable bump from 2.97 goals per game last season and the first time the NHL average has eclipsed 3.00 since 2005-06. That’s a credit to the league’s youth — the infusion of skill and speed and a lack of defensive awareness combining for more wide- open games. Bigger and better goaltenders along with more sophisticated scouting led to the gradual decline of scoring for most of Ovechkin’s 14-year career, but what separated him then and still does now — when he doesn’t have the wheels of some of his younger peers — is a unique shot that’s both fast and tough to track with how it knuckles. Ovechkin has converted 17.3 percent of his shots into goals this season, a career best. Though the bulk of his goals are the product of his powerful shot, he has shown more willingness to score the hard way in 1134215 Washington Capitals

The Capitals were smart not to challenge Tom Kuhnhackl’s goal

By J.J. Regan March 02, 2019 5:25 PM

Even Tom Kuhnhackl couldn’t believe the whistle hadn’t blown when he skated in on Braden Holtby on a breakaway. He skated at half-speed and shot a very nonchalant backhand past Holtby for the goal. After he had scored, it took him a few seconds to celebrate as he looked around expecting the play to be whistled as off-side. It never was. Kuhnhackl’s goal put the New York Islanders ahead 1-0 on Friday in a pivotal matchup against the Capitals. Washington ultimately emerged the 3-1 victors, but they had to overcome the early deficit that came in controversial fashion. Kuhnhackl stepped in front of a Dmitry Orlov pass and intercepted it in the neutral zone. He knocked the puck into the offensive zone, but as he entered it appeared that Islanders teammate Leo Komarov was several feet in front of the blue line, which would make the play off-side. Here’s a view of the play with Kuhnhackl at the top of the screen entering the zone and Komarov at the bottom trying to touch up. After the play, everyone was waiting for the coach’s challenge to come from head coach Todd Reriden, but he elected not to challenge, baffling many fans and analysts alike. As it turns out, the Caps got it right. The NHL provided an explanation for the ruling to NBC Sports Washington on Saturday, saying the correct call was made on the ice: The play was not off-side because Tom Kuhnhackl delayed touching the puck knowing Leo Komarov was in an off-side position. He smartly waited to touch the puck inside the zone once Komarov had tagged up. Once Komarov tagged up, both he and Kuhnhackl were in an on-side position even though the puck was in the offensive zone. Therefore, this is considered on-side. Kuhnhackl enters the zone with the puck, but does not actually touch it after it crossed the blue line until Komarov gets back on-side. This is referred to in the rules as delayed off-side. I find this to be an incredibly literal interpretation of the rule as Kuhnhackl clearly has possession, but by the letter of the law the call was the correct one. The call is not unprecedented as the exact same thing happened against the Caps on March 28, 2017 against the Minnesota Wild. Again, a play that looked to be clearly off-side was deemed to be delayed off-side, thus allowing Minnesota to enter the zone and score. As you can tell, I wasn’t a fan of that interpretation of the rule then, either. It was widely reported by many, including me, that a delayed off-side is not reviewable, but the NHL also clarified in their explanation that a delayed off-side can in fact be challenged. There is no rule stipulating that it cannot. In this instance, however, the Caps were better off not challenging. Challenging a goal as off-side carries a two-minute penalty for delay of game if you get it wrong. Had Reirden challenged Kuhnhackl’s goal, the goal would have been upheld and the Caps would have had to immediately go on the penalty kill. This game could have gone a lot differently from there.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134216 Washington Capitals With their win Friday, the Caps pulled even with the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division with 81 points. The Islanders technically remain in first place as they have a game in hand. Both team Capitals can expect yet another physical battle in Manhattan on Sunday are back in action on Sunday. New York will host the Philadelphia Flyers against the Rangers at 3 p.m. If the Caps beat the Rangers, they will at the very least remain tied for first. A Caps win and an Islanders loss would see Washington take sole possession of first place for the first time since Jan. 15. By J.J. Regan March 02, 2019 4:09 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019

The Capitals and New York Rangers have played a lot of meaningful games in the past. With Washington hoping to repeat as Cup champs and the Rangers in the midst of a rebuild, however, these two teams are headed in different directions. In the wake of Friday’s game against the first place New York Islanders, Sunday’s game may seem like it doesn’t mean much by comparison, but don’t tell the players that. The Caps and Rangers met one week ago on Sunday in Washington in what was a very physical, contentious affair. It sure didn’t look like a meaningless game between a contender and a team ready to sell of its top players at the deadline, it looked like two rivals duking it out because they desperately did not want to lose. It didn’t take long for things to get physical. chirp chirp pic.twitter.com/R5pQAP0ogU — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019 It wasn’t just Tom Wilson eiter. Everyone was getting into the mix over the course of the game. Easy now, Henrik. pic.twitter.com/DOYLdqZ9kG — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019

Copley ain't afraid to throw hands  pic.twitter.com/m8kGkwQE1N — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019 Ovi is NOT pleased with Skjei right now #CapsRangers pic.twitter.com/yiOS1Yw8dF — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019 Well that escalated quickly pic.twitter.com/Vs3M7XVSse — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019 We see you throwin' down, Batya pic.twitter.com/01sFVyfA1c — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 24, 2019 The Caps finally emerged from the fisticuffs with the 6-5 overtime win which should only add fuel to the rivalry fire on Sunday. This time it will be the Caps on the road to face the Rangers (12:30 p.m., NBC). Buckle up. It’s going to be a rough game. Game notes This isn’t Ottawa Like the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers were major sellers at the trade deadline, but don’t take that to mean the Caps will blow through New York as easily as they handled the Senators on Tuesday. The Rangers traded Kevin Hayes and Adam McQuiad on Monday, one day after New York fell in Washington. Neither of those players played in Sunday’s game. The Rangers elected to sit both players to protect them as trade assets. The Caps are not going to play a bare bones roster, they are going to play largely the same roster that scored five goals against them and forced overtime. They’re due Fifteen of the Caps’ 18 skaters on Sunday recorded points. Newcomers Carl Hagelin and Nick Jensen were two of the only three players held without a point. In fact, neither player has been able to hit the scoresheet yet for Washington. That’s not to say either player is not playing well, they are. The fourth line has looked dominant since Hagelin was added and Jensen looks to be as good as advertised in terms of skating and breakout passes on the blue line. If Sunday is another big day for the Caps’ offense, one of them is due to get their first point for Washington. Standings watch 1134217 Washington Capitals

Another milestone for Caps’ Ovechkin with historic goal No. 45

By Brian McNally March 01, 2019 10:57 PM

Alex Ovechkin’s inevitable creep toward 50 goals took another step on Friday when he scored the game-winner in an eventual 3-1 win against the New York Islanders. Ovechkin batted a puck out of the air and past goalie Thomas Greiss on a power play in the third period to break a 1-1 tie. It was his 45thgoal of the season, which marked a milestone. Ovechkin became the first NHL player to score 45 goals 10 different times. He was previously tied with Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy, who did it nine times each. Those two have one advantage over Ovechkin, however: In all of those seasons they also topped 50 goals. They share that record. Ovechkin is third all-time with seven 50-goal seasons but came up agonizingly short last year with 49. But with 17 games left he has a good shot at pulling within one of Gretzky and Bossy’s mark. “[Ovechkin] continues to amaze the players in the room and our coaching staff. I’ve said it a lot this year – we are just so lucky to have this player in our organization,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. “He’s a generational talent in the National Hockey League. The National Hockey League is fortunate that a player like him has been able to come over and do the things that he did. You’re always looking for special people, special talents like he is. And to be able to have 10 seasons of 45 goals is absolutely amazing.” Ovechkin is climbing up the charts almost nightly now. His game-winning goal was the 106th of his career. That ties Toronto’s Patrick Marleau for seventh all time. Brendan Shanahan is up next at 109 with Teemu Selanne and tied for fourth at 110. With 45 goals and 30 assists, Ovechkin has 75 points. He again has a shot at a 90-point season, which he has not reached since the 2009-10 season. Last year Ovechkin fell just short with 87 points (49 goals, 38 assists). He is also now just three points shy of 1,200 points for his career. He is 48thall time (1,197) and would tie former Capitals forward Dino Ciccarelli when he gets to 1,200. San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (1,463) is the only active player with more points than Ovechkin, who this year passed former teammate Sergei Fedorov (1,179) for most points by a Russian player.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134218 Winnipeg Jets

Lowry to miss two games for hitting Forsberg with stick

By: mike mcintyre Posted: 03/3/2019 3:00 AM

COLUMBUS – The Winnipeg Jets will be without shutdown centre Adam Lowry as they kick off an important four-game eastern road trip Sunday night in Columbus. Lowry, 25, has been suspended two games for a reckless high-stick of Nashville’s Filip Forsberg in Friday night’s 5-3 win at Bell MTS Place. He will miss the contest with the Blue Jackets and Tuesday’s tilt against league-leading Tampa Bay and is eligible to return Friday night in Carolina. Lowry had just absorbed a hit from Forsberg when he swung his stick towards the Predators winger, hitting him in the face. Forsberg was shaken up but not seriously injured. Lowry was given a two-minute penalty on the play, then called on the carpet Saturday by the NHL’s department of player safety announced Saturday. "While we understand Lowry’s contention that he did not intent to strike Forsberg in the face on this play, it is important to note that this is not a situation where a player simply loses control of his stick, or one where an off-balance player flails to try to steady himself. This is a reckless stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height. No matter where he intends the blow to land, Lowry must be in control and responsible for his stick," the NHL said in the suspension video. Lowry has eight goals and nine assists in 62 games this season. He will forfeit $31,362 in salary as a result of the ban. Lowry was previously suspended for one game in 2014 for a hit from behind on Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta. Lowry joins injured defencemen Dustin Byfuglien, Josh Morrissey and Joe Morrow as other pieces currently out of the lineup. As well, the status of No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck for Sunday isn't clear after he missed Friday's game with the flu. The Jets had an off-day Saturday as they flew to Columbus. Lowry’s suspension will trigger other moves, including Bryan Little likely moving back to centre for the next two games. Little was on the wing with Lowry and Brandon Tanev in Friday night’s win. As well, one of Matt Hendricks or Par Lindholm will draw into the lineup to fill Lowry’s void. Both were obtained last Monday at the trade deadline but have been healthy scratches in the two games since. Winnipeg is currently 1-1-0 in a stretch of nine straight games against teams holding down a playoff spot as of Saturday. The Jets are coming off one of the more complete efforts of the season in Friday's win. Winnipeg fell behind 2-0 late in the second period, then rallied for victory. They lead the Central Division by one point over Nashville, although they have three games in hand on the Predators. "Really important because we liked the way that we were playing and it went against us a bit but we didn’t change the way we were playing. It was a fun game to be a part of. The bench was wired right and everybody was pulling and into the game. Really important. What would I be selling if it didn’t go our way? I would be telling you that I liked the way that we played and if we keep playing like that. We like that we’re moving forward and it’s great to get a win on that and have everybody (have) a piece of it," coach Paul Maurice said following the game. "It’s good that they got properly rewarded for it." The road ahead doesn't get any easier. Columbus should be a desperate team after they lost 4-0 on home ice Saturday afternoon to the Edmonton Oilers. They began the day tied with Pittsburgh for the final Eastern Conference wildcard playoff spot. Making the post-season is a must for a team which held on to pending UFA's Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin at the trade deadline, then added three more UFA's in Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and Adam McQuaid while trading away numerous draft picks and prospects in an attempt to go "all-in" this season.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.03.2019 1134219 Winnipeg Jets and Shamattawa. Indigenous NHL alumni like Reggie Leach, Jamie Leach, and Daryl Stanley also met and skated with the youth.

Special Indigenous-themed logos and clothing for the Jets and Moose, Reconciliation finds true home at True North created by WASAC alumni Leticia Spence, were sold at the event with proceeds going to WASAC. By: Niigaan Sinclair The next night, at the Moose game, over 500 Indigenous youth took part in similar festivities. 03/1/2019 7:00 PM Chief has also helped True North navigate history. He introduced then- Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Derek Nepinak, to Chipman when Indigenous fans of the Jets brought the issue of In the early hours of July 5, 2016, 26-year-old Cyril Weenusk of Oxford headdresses to True North’s attention. Fans argued that the wearing of House First Nation was killed after encountering two men at the corner of headdresses at games not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes, but Portage Avenue and Donald Street. disrespects a sacred item that should be traditionally earned and not worn around alcohol. At the place where he died – footsteps from the Bell MTS Place – members of Weenusk’s community held a vigil, covering the sidewalk True North agreed to ban headdresses at all events, becoming the first in with candles, photographs, and gifts. the NHL and one of the only professional teams in North America to do this. Cyril Weenusk of Oxford House First Nation was killed. A vigil was set up near where he died, near the Bell MTS Place. Soon after, True North also made the decision to make acknowledgements of Treaty One territory and lead fans in a The next morning, downtown life continued, and thousands began to commitment to "a spirit of reconciliation" before every event. walk by and disturb the site. I wrote this for them after Chief introduced me to Chipman. A group of Indigenous employees from the Bell MTS Place, many originally from communities like Oxford House, decided to do something True North’s work is having an impact. During last season’s playoff run, by using their work breaks to protect the space. hockey broadcaster Ron Mclean opened up a Jets broadcast by welcoming viewers to Treaty one territory, even explaining to viewers They also asked their employer, True North Sports & Entertainment, the what Winnipeg means in Cree. owner of the Winnipeg Jets, if they could do this during work hours. "I love working here," said Rachel Esquash from Swan Lake First Nation, True North agreed, and a round-the-clock team oversaw the site. Days "everyone has a lot of respect." later, that same group held a ceremony for the materials, eventually delivering them to Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson of Manitoba Esquash has worked in housekeeping for True North since 1996, at the Keewatinowi Okimakanak, who was Weenusk’s cousin. old arena in Polo Park. Now, seven of her family members – including all of her children – work in various capacities, from cleaning to security to There was no media, no press release, no photographs. I only knew game-time operations. about this was because I was asked to help. "My family has become the Winnipeg Jets," Esquash says. One day she "It was the right thing to do," True North chairman Mark Chipman is cleaning rooms and the next helping singer Elton John or WWE star explained when I reminded him about it. "We were just fortunate we Roman Reigns. could help honour this young man." She tries to give back what her work has given her – even making This is a story of how the Winnipeg Jets have quietly built relationships bannock for the lunch room. with Indigenous communities. "She’s a leader on our staff," Chipman said, "someone I take advice From hockey to hiring to headdresses, the Winnipeg Jets have become a from." model for reconciliation in Manitoba. Security guard Tyler Robinson from Roseau River First Nation is a former "I wouldn’t call us leaders in reconciliation," Chipman told me in an WASAC alumni who came to True North through the Youth CEO interview, "we have just been in some situations where we have looked (Creative Employment Opportunities) program, a mentorship initiative to people to help us understand what it means to be a responsible that gives Indigenous youth opportunities to work within Winnipeg community member and lucky we have Indigenous employees and companies. leaders to help us." After working with True North, Robinson was hired full-time and plans to Chipman, notoriously private, proudly tells me he’s "learned a lot" while be a police officer one day. attending events like the recent traditional opening of the True North Square, attended by an honour song and ceremony. The ceremony was "I can’t imagine a better place where I get to meet people, work with the co-organized by Kevin Chief, a former MLA. community, and build my career." "Kevin has been instrumental in helping introduce us to the Indigenous Many True North employees are offered training in community and community," Chipman said, "we’ve learned a lot from him and others." customer relations as well. Chief was instrumental in helping co-ordinate the Winnipeg Jets WASAC True North has around 260 full-time and 1,250 part-time employees. night. They don’t keep track of Indigenous employees but Esquash says they are "many, from all over." The Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose hosted WASAC night for the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre on Feb. 16 and 17. Murray Cobb gets off the ice at 9 p.m. after coaching his PeeWee girls A2 squad. SUPPLIED "The girls have come a long way. We used to get shellacked 14-0. Now, The Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose hosted WASAC night for the we are winning playoff games." Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre on Feb. 16 and 17. Cobb coaches in the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy program, a school- On Feb. 16 and 17, True North hosted two home games, one with the and community-based hockey initiative that focuses on underprivileged Winnipeg Jets and the other with the Manitoba Moose, to honour the youth who don’t get opportunities to play. The majority of the program’s Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre. Celebrating 20 years participants are Indigenous. and founded in 1999, WASAC connects Indigenous youth to sport and provides mentorship and leadership programs focused on career Nine out of fifteen players on Cobb’s team are Indigenous. They are a development. part of the nearly 600 players who work with 250 volunteers in schools throughout Winnipeg’s inner city, Transcona, and St. James Chief, a co-founder of WASAC, lobbied True North and eventually helped communities. plan the event. The program focuses on building school attendance, academics, and The Jets game featured a traditional drum opening by Spirit Sands career planning while also providing community experiences and hockey Singers, Indigenous musician Don Amero singing the national anthems, equipment and training along the way. The proof of the success of the a ceremonial face-off by Indigenous elders, and thirty Indigenous youth program is increased grades, graduation rates and involvement of from northern communities like Lac Brochet, Oxford House, Pauingassi, parents, families, and communities. They may even be breaking down barriers between Indigenous communities and schools too. True North does other programs that directly engage First Nations and Métis communities, like Camp Manitou that gives youth summer experiences in sport and skill building or Project 11, which addresses stigma and positivity around mental health and youth suicide in the north. Much of this is paid for by fundraising and donations from True North employees. Last year, 95 per cent of True North employees donated parts of their paycheque to one of the three programs. Want to get a head start on your day? Social media feeds showed literally hundreds of photos of medallions and moccasins with Jets colours and beadwork. Indigenous and non- Indigenous fans high fiving each other at parties downtown. Indigenous fans proudly wearing white jerseys and a logo with the maple leaf. This wasn’t an approval of Canada but evidence that hockey transcends division. Indigenous peoples have found meaning in the Winnipeg Jets. I ask Chipman whether hockey can overcome differences. "I am not sure," he responds, "but if you are trying to build an organization that unites a community, you had better invite and include everyone in that community."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.03.2019 1134220 Winnipeg Jets Nathan Beaulieu-Jacob Trouba Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers JETS GAMEDAY: Five keys to Jets vs Blue Jackets Ben Chiarot-Sami Niku Goalies Ken Wiebe Connor Hellebuyck Laurent Brossoit Winnipeg Jets at Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets 6 pm CT. Nationwide Arena. TV: Sportsnet. Radio: TSN 1290 Forwards THE BIG MATCHUP Artemi Panarin-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Cam Atkinson Kevin Hayes vs Matt Duchene Ryan Dzingel-Matt Duchene-Oliver Bjorkstrand Two teams looking to make a deep playoff push gave up significant Nick Foligno-Boone Jenner-Josh Anderson assets to accquire a second-line centre, so why not put them under the microscope. Hayes is coming off a game where he recorded a goal and Eric Robinson-Brandon Dubinsky-Riley Nash two assists and it didn’t matter that two of those points came on empty- Defence net goals. Duchene has one goal and three points in five games since joining the Blue Jackets and he’s up to 61 points in 55 games this Scott Harrington-Seth Jones season. Zach Werenski-David Savard 5 keys to the game Markus Nutivaara-Adam McQuaid Another step Goalies The Jets overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 5- 3 on Friday to move back into first place in the Central Division Sergei Bobrovsky standings, while holding three games in hand. Although the month of Joonas Korpisalo February was a challenging one, the Jets have played solid hockey against two opponents they faced in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs Injuries recently and they’ll be looking for that to carry over during the stretch run. During the final 18 games, the Jets face 12 teams that are currently Jets: D Dustin Byfuglien (ankle, week-to-week), D Josh Morrissey (upper above the playoff line and 16 teams in contention, so the competition will body, indefinitely), D Joe Morrow (lower body, week-to-week), C Adam be stiff. Lowry (suspension). Doubling down Blue Jackets: D Ryan Murray (upper body, IR) The Jets top line had a massive impact on the outcome on Friday as POWER PLAY captain Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele combined for two goals and six points. Scheifele’s power-play goal got the Jets on the board and Winnipeg: 25.2.% (5th) sparked the comeback, while Wheeler’s put the Jets ahead for good. Columbus: 15.6% (26th) Wheeler is up to 76 points, while Scheifele equalled his career high for goals (32) and has 72 points, which is quickly creeping up on his career PENALTY KILLING high (82) in that category as well. Winnipeg 78.9% (22nd) Balancing act Columbus: 83.6% (4th) Part of the reason Jets head coach Paul Maurice made a few subtle tweaks to his line combinations is to ensure he doesn’t burn out his top players during the stretch run. Those moves paid dividends on Friday, as Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.03.2019 no Jets forward saw more than 20 minutes of ice time. That’s a smart recipe if the Jets want to play deep into May and into June. Contain the bread man Much like the Jets, the Blue Jackets decided to keep their pending unrestricted free agents to be part of a potential playoff run. That included scoring leader Artemi Panarin, who has 25 goals and 71 points. The former Chicago Blackhawks winger has six goals and 14 points in 13 career games against the Jets. Door opens With Jets centre Adam Lowry facing supplemental discipline for his high stick to the face of Predators forward Filip Forsberg during the third period of Friday’s game, Par Lindholm will likely draw into the lineup and play on the wing. Lindholm had one goal and 12 points in 61 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was used on the penalty kill. With Lowry out, Lindholm should see time while shorthanded and play on the fourth line. GAME DAY LINEUPS Winnipeg Jets Forwards Patrik Laine-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Kyle Connor-Kevin Hayes-Nik Ehlers Brandon Tanev-Andrew Copp-Bryan Little Mathieu Perreault-Jack Roslovic-Par Lindholm Defence 1134221 Winnipeg Jets As the last line of defence, goaltending is a big part of the equation when it comes to the fine line between winning and losing.

And it’s always been a bit of a chicken and egg theory when it comes to Time for Hellebuyck to shine: Jets goalie is most important player for final determining whether team defence leads to good goaltending or if elite quarter goaltending can cover up some of the deficiencies of team defence. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Ken Wiebe What hasn’t changed is that the Jets won’t go far with average goaltending – and yes, I fully understand that blanket statement is going to apply to all 16 teams that qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. COLUMBUS – The puck stops here for the Winnipeg Jets. It won’t necessarily take elite goaltending, but Hellebuyck needs to keep After putting a flu virus behind him, goalie Connor Hellebuyck is about to tracking toward above average and can’t afford to slip to below average. enter one of the most pivotal stretches of his young career. Nobody is asking Hellebuyck to put this team on his back and carry them, With 18 games left to go in the regular season, including Sunday’s but if he can find a way to elevate his game slightly, the Jets should match-up with the Columbus Blue Jackets that opens a four-game road remain a serious contender when the post-season party gets underway trip for the Jets, Hellebuyck is looking to settle into a rhythm to get him next month. prepared for the Stanley Cup playoffs. There will be no Vezina Trophy nomination for Hellebuyck this spring, but To this point of the season, a quick look at the numbers shows there has that doesn’t really matter, since the puckstopper would much rather do been a drop off in his play. his part to get his name engraved on another trophy this summer. Every year is different, but there’s no arguing Hellebuyck’s save % has Getting dialled in during the stretch run is the next step in that process. dropped from .924 to .910 and his goals-against average is 2.99 compared to 2.36 during his Vezina runner-up season. But as has been the case since the Jets arrived back on the scene in Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.03.2019 2011, those traditional goaltending numbers rarely tell the whole story. While a statistical drop-off would have been considered likely, given Hellebuyck’s limited experience as an NHL starter, there are some who would make the case his overall play hasn’t been far off. That evidence points to the fact the Jets have been much looser when it comes to their puck management and defensive responsibilities this season. A year ago, the Jets made a concerted effort to be a better defensive team. They knew they had the offensive weaponry that would allow them to remain in the top third of the NHL in goals scored, but taking a step in the post-season would require further commitment in their play without the puck. For whatever reason, the Jets have lapsed a bit in that area. Not only have the team goals against gone up, the quality of scoring chances the Jets have surrendered is on the rise as well. According to the folks at Naturalstattrick, the Jets have created 510 high danger chances, while allowing 557 and given the talent on the roster, the discrepancy in that area is surprising. This is not an indictment on the goaltending tandem of Hellebuyck (28- 18-2) and backup Laurent Brossoit, who is 11-4-2 and has a 2.49 goals- against average and .929 save % in 16 starts and 17 appearances. Finding stability in the No. 2 job has been a huge development for the Jets this season – especially after getting eight wins from the combination of Steve Mason, Michael Hutchinson and Eric Comrie last season. And while Brossoit is likely to make four or five more starts during the stretch run, one of the primary goals for the Jets is to get Hellebuyck playing at the top of his game for when the stakes begin to rise. There have been some signs that Hellebuyck is trending in that direction, despite allowing 20 goals during his past five starts. Hellebuyck has mostly eliminated the soft goals that had plagued him during what was an uneven start to the season. After signing a six-year, $37 million deal last summer, there was going to be additional pressure on Hellebuyck to perform at a high level. He’s become one of the highest paid goalies in the NHL and with that comes a certain level of expectation. It comes with the territory and Hellebuyck has done a decent job of navigating the potholes. He’s been a workhorse, managed to stay healthy and on most nights, he’s doing enough to give his team a chance to win. Hellebuyck hasn’t stolen as many games as he did last season, but isn’t costing his team games either. 1134222 Winnipeg Jets

Lowry gets two games, Jets centre suspended for high-sticking

Ken Wiebe

COLUMBUS – Adam Lowry won’t be available for the first two games of this Winnipeg Jets road trip. Following a phone hearing on Saturday afternoon, the Jets centre received a two-game suspension from the NHL department of player safety on Saturday for his high stick on Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg. Lowry won a puck battle behind the net, but after Forsberg came back and checked him along the boards, the Jets centre, with one hand on his stick, clipped Forsberg in the face during the third period of Friday’s 5-3 win over the Predators. The play resulted in a two-minute minor for high-sticking for Lowry. During the explanation video released by the NHL department of player safety, it was noted Lowry’s contention was that it was not his intention to strike Forsberg in the face. However, since it was considered a “reckless stick swing at a dangerous height” and that it was not a situation “where a player simply loses control of his stick or one where a player an off-balance player flails in order to steady himself” supplemental discipline was required, since Lowry is still responsible for being in control of his stick. It’s the second time in his five-year NHL career that Lowry has been suspended and the first since his rookie season in 2014-15, when he received one game for checking Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta from behind. With Lowry sidelined, newcomer Par Lindholm is expected to make his Jets debut on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and be used on the wing on the fourth line. Andrew Copp is a logical candidate to move up in Lowry’s place between Bryan Little and Brandon Tanev, though head coach Paul Maurice has several options at his disposal.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.03.2019 1134223 Vancouver Canucks Boeser’s poor back-check on the third Arizona goal Thursday was crucial as that goal stood up as the winner.

The sophomore winger took full blame for that miscue after the game, but Patrick Johnston: Edler believes he and Canucks are improving, Boeser it seems the coach is looking to light a fire. hopes for the same Despite Boeser’s recent slump — he’s goalless in five games — the sniper does have 21 goals and is scoring at nearly the same pace as a Patrick Johnston year ago. Tanev could still return SUMMERLIN, Nev. — It’s never easy getting hurt. It’s also a bummer As far as he knows, Chris Tanev hasn’t yet returned to the ice, Green when the injury occurs at a crucial point in the season. said. And it’s even tougher to take when it happens on a freak play. He is likely to step on the ice soon, though. It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for Alex Edler. The Canucks’ veteran Still, that came with a caution: “He’s not going to come back unless he’s was concussed at the beginning of February in a freak accident against healthy.” the Philadelphia Flyers when he smashed his face against the ice at full force. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.03.2019 He only returned to NHL action in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz. “Frustrating, yes,” he said Saturday after the Canucks practised at the Golden Knights’ practice facility nestled on the western edge of suburban Las Vegas, not far from the spectacular Red Rock Canyon. “Every injury is frustrating,” Edler added. “But when you get a head injury, it’s so unknown you can’t put a timeline on it.” It took more than three weeks for him to regain full health, but Edler said he was always making steady improvement. “I got better in stages,” he said. “It was going up and down some days, but no setbacks. The progress wasn’t straight up but I’d get a little bit better, then a few days like that then better again.” And adding stress was the question of his contract negotiations. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer but holds a no-trade clause in his current contract. He’s made it clear his preference is to stay in Vancouver. “I’ve been here my whole career. I’ve been fortunate. I’ve lived here most of my adult life,” he said when asked about his love for Vancouver. “I’ve been treated well by the organization, I like the city, I like the fans. That’s why my wish is to stay here. Now it looks like we’re on the way back up again. It’s exciting to be in a rebuild.” Playing in the NHL has been beyond his childhood dreams. “It was just a dream when I was a kid. And I didn’t realize that I could get to this level until I maybe was 17 or 18. “There were a lot of guys ahead of me up to that point, on the national team, stuff like that. Everything happened very fast when I turned 18, 19. I couldn’t imagine that 13 years later I’d be here.” Staying positive, avoiding Vegas flu Thursday’s loss was crushing to the Canucks’ playoff hopes, but the players remain defiant. “You’ve got to keep confident, a positive mindset, or else it’s going to go the opposite way. We’re still in the hunt, we’re still in it,” Bo Horvat insisted. After two difficult games in two nights, getting an extra day off was welcomed. “Time off is always nice after a back-to-back. It is nice to wind down, get your mind off it,” Horvat said. Having that extra day in Sin City comes with some risk. “No matter where you’re staying or who you’re playing it shouldn’t matter,” he said. “Obviously it’s a different atmosphere … Vegas is a one-of-a-kind place. You can’t get caught up in it. You’ve got to be smart about it.” Boeser’s demotion about other options Brock Boeser dropping to the Adam Gaudette line was as much about how the other wingers have been playing as anything else, coach Travis Green insisted. “Might work,” he said. “I’ve liked Spooner, Leivo and Horvat together. I think Goldy’s playing well. I’ve liked Pearson’s game.” But Boeser was also removed from the main power-play unit, which is another telling statement about the winger’s current form. 1134224 Websites The star-studded list of Iginla’s former teammates brought onto the ice to start the proceedings included Mike Cammalleri, Mike Commodore, Andrew Ference, Jamie McLennan and Rhett Warrener, amongst others. Sportsnet.ca / Flames give Jarome Iginla deserved, fitting retirement Conroy and Robyn Regehr were two of the three singled out by Iginla for ceremony their efforts, as well as Mikka Kiprusoff who hasn’t been seen in years. Rebutting Conroy’s claim their first meeting was a frosty one, Iginla Eric Francis clarified. March 3, 2019, 1:17 AM “If there was any expression it was not anger, it was shock,” said Iginla, flashing the grin that always seemed to betray the beast persona he took on while playing. “The Flames just traded our leading goal scorer to get him and I just looked around behind him, who else is coming in the CALGARY – Standing at the top of the circle from which he’d scored so door?” many of his goals, Jarome Iginla looked up at the saddle-shaped roof with a glint in his eye. Iginla drew his opening standing ovation when introduced at the far end of the rink, walking the red carpet to centre ice past all the major trophies There were no tears. It wasn’t that type of ceremony. he won. Fist bumping with 15 young hockey players who’ve benefitted from the $800,000 he personally donated to KidSport Calgary while Although he played the game with a raw emotion no coach can teach, playing, he eventually sat next to his family, several Flames owners as Iginla warned a day earlier he wasn’t the sentimental type. well as Lanny McDonald and Mike Vernon – the only two men to be With his 10 and 12-year-old sons (Joe and Tij), his 14-year-old daughter similarly feted as Flames. (Jade) and wife Kara by his side, they watched his no. 12 ascend to the It kicked off with Conroy’s speech. rafters. The C of Red had risen several times earlier in the night to welcome the longtime captain back to the city in which he gave “We’re here to pay tribute to one of the greatest Flames of all time – if not everything for 16 years. But the sustained roar that accompanied the the greatest… sorry Lanny,” he smiled, recalling how the former scoring finality of a highly-anticipated jersey retirement was a moment no one in leader went from star to local legend in 2004. attendance will forget. “First the rafters – next stop, Toronto and the Hall of Fame.” Nor will they forget the parting words of a man who capped the 57-minute ceremony with a riot-inducing promise. Legendary local broadcaster Peter Maher thanked Conroy for keeping the speech under an hour and then announced the Flames owners were “We look forward to many, many cup runs ahead,” said the 500-goal man making a $50,000 donation in Iginla’s name to KidSport. The three Iginla of a team that may be better now than he ever played on. kids were then given gold pucks commemorating their father’s 16 years in Calgary. An artist was also introduced to do a live painting capturing “Go Flames Go.” the ceremony for the Iginla’s home. Throughout the course of an evening that featured speeches from Iginla A stirring video of his career, voiced over by McDonald, illustrated the and his longtime pal and linemate Craig Conroy, several mentions of the brilliance and brawn of his career, setting the stage for Iginla’s speech. Cup run Iginla orchestrated in conjunction with Miikka Kiprusoff in 2004 drew chants from the crowd, “It was in. It was in.” “I really want to thank the Flames organization and ownership,” said Iginla, who now resides in Boston where he channels the intensity that The reference to the controversial non-goal “scored” by Martin Gelinas led to 75 NHL fights into coaching his son’s hockey teams. that wasn’t reviewed in Game 6 served as a reminder of how close the Olympic hero came to snaring the only title left in hockey he hadn’t won. “It’s not lost on my family or on me to have my name up in the rafters. It was a pursuit that took him from Calgary to Pittsburgh, Boston, Thank you Lanny for doing (the video). It means a ton. I’ve been a huge Colorado and Los Angeles in his twilight years, serving as reminders of fan and have so much respect for you.” how hard it is to win hockey’s ultimate prize. The feeling is mutual. The fans finally got to thank the 1000-point man for The thrust of his 15-minutue message revolved around contemplating the all he did for the team, the city and the country before a Hockey Night in sadness he had to deal with the day he realized his career was over and Canada matchup that later saw the Flames lose to the Wild 4-2. he would never have that Stanley Cup ring he so cherished. He reflected on a routine he had as a rookie of exploring every arena he “As an athlete you push and push and try to be positive and always arrived at, asking coaches Brad McCrimmon and Rich Preston about the envision it will happen,” said the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in a names that hung from rafters in each city. speech peppered by chants of “Iggy, Iggy.” “I really appreciated those times and it’s really cool I can be part of that “I believe you have to be that way in life and in hockey, so I’ll admit it Flames tradition and be up there,” said the 41-year-old, two-time Olympic bothered me a bit. But after taking some time to reflect on my career with champion. “It’s very special.” my family and friends, and adding a dose of gratitude, I know I did win. How fitting. “And I’m not talking about the goal that didn’t count in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final that Gelly scored. I won over and over again, every day for the 20 years I played in the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 NHL. I won all the days in minor hockey growing up in a program like St. Albert, then playing junior hockey in a great hockey place like Kamloops where I learned and grew so much. “I won playing professionally in a first class organization the Calgary Flames that’s built upon family, community and leadership. At the end of the day to me a big part of life is about memories, friendships challenges and giving your all. I got to do all that in Calgary playing with the Flames, with the fans and my teammates. I did win.” A classy affair run by a classy organization, the only thing missing from the evening seemed to be that one, sustained ovation that always seems to mark such occasions in Montreal or Edmonton. Fact is, this city hasn’t had much practice at such celebrations, which perhaps explains why $150 tickets were selling for over $1,000. So anticipated was the affair, fans braved temperatures of minus-20 waiting to get in when the doors opened an hour before the ceremony. The love-in was memorable and, at times, stirring. The current players watched from the bench wearing Iginla jerseys they’d later wear in warmup. 1134225 Websites Zaitsev scored off Buffalo D-man Brandon Montour’s skate with just 55 seconds remaining in the second period for some sweet insurance. Mitch Marner added an empty-netter late in the third. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs, fans remind John Tavares why he chose “Good way to bounce back,” Tavares said, his tone steady. Toronto Back home, a return to normal.

“I mean, he stays calm about everything,” Marner said. “I don’t think it Luke Fox matters the moment or situation, he’s always calm, he’s always cool and March 2, 2019, 10:00 PM collected with his thoughts and actions. That’s something you can definitely learn from.

“All the stuff you could hear [Thursday in Long Island], it doesn’t matter TORONTO – Love, it turns out, is only a 90-minute flight away from hate. how strong-willed you are in your head, it’s going to affect you one way or another. That’s why I think it’s so special to come back home and give Feeling the need to reassure John Tavares that he made the right him the love he deserved.” decision 48 hours after he’d been pilloried by scorn and embarrassed by the scoreboard during his Long Island homecoming, the city of Toronto Granted, the effort was against a weaker and more tired opponent than welcomed back the salary cap era’s best free agent to change clothes the Islanders — Buffalo had just won an overtime thriller in Pittsburgh and go with open arms. Friday and hasn’t scratched together consecutive wins since Dec. 11 and 13 — but the Maple Leafs responded admirably in the wake of their Prior to the Maple Leafs’ 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, greatest debacle of the season. the fan-fuelled hashtag #TavaresDayTO began trending, and fellow J.T., mayor John Tory, gave it a push. Andersen made 35 saves and stood tall in the face of a dozen high- danger scoring chances. When Tavares’ name was announced during pre-game introductions, all 19,088 at Scotiabank Arena rose to their feet and roared for their local Jake Muzzin threw a couple big-boy checks, Morgan Rielly hustled back hero. to bust up a Jeff Skinner breakaway, and Kasperi Kapanen engaged in a rare fight with Evan Rodrigues. One fan spoke for many when she held aloft a homemade sign that read: “Dear John, We do need you. We do care. Love, Toronto.” “It’s going to be a heated game,” Kapanen had predicted. “Everyone in this locker room is excited to forget about last game and have a good Tavares can steady a poker face at Daniel Negreanu levels, but even one.” from the press box, you could see the athlete moved by the reception. He didn’t add the words “for Johnny.” He didn’t need to. They were “Definitely got some goosebumps,” Tavares said. “Nice little boost there.” understood. Per team decision, the rest of the starting lineup drifted away from the As the seconds drained away, Toronto stood up once more and hollered, blue line they were standing on, leaving their most consistent player and in unison: “Jay! Tee! Jay! Tee! Jay! Tee!” most prolific scorer alone in the spotlight to soak in the group hug. “I thought it was great, but I also thought the people in New York showed “Tremendous people, not just hockey players,” Tavares said. “To give me the passion they have for John the other night too,” Babcock said. a moment like that, it’s something I’ll always remember. It shows how “Unless you’re a great athlete, unless they love you, they don’t do that.” tight we are in here.” So, with all the hype and hoopla, the cheers and jeers, the hate and love A moment of affirmation. Tavares saluted his thanks. packed into the first five months, how does John Tavares feel about being a Maple Leaf so far? And then, a hockey game. “It’s been unreal to be a part of, and it’s just the beginning,” Tavares said. Knowing full well they needed a response to Thursday’s meltdown in Uniondale, the Leafs pressed early. “I’m real excited for what’s ahead.” Tavares struck first because of course he did, jamming in a loose puck behind Linus Ullmark for his league-leading 27th goal at even strength and celebrating with a more passionate fist thrust than usual. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 He’d later tack on a pair of assists for a three-point night. His 71 through 65 games puts him on pace for the first 90-point campaign of his career. Sabres veteran Jason Pominville answered on the very next shift on a similar play, poking home a loose puck in tight. Then Conor Sheary gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead shooting the puck through Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev and Frederik Andersen. But the final minutes of the first and second periods made all the difference. With Patrick Marleau providing a hard-earned screen smack in front of Ullmark, Morgan Rielly’s seeing-eye point shot tied the game with just 18 ticks left in the first. Deadline Day acquisition Nic Petan yelled at Trevor Moore to pass then smack a one-kneed one-timer in the high slot to score the game-winner in his Leafs debut, temporarily replacing winger Tyler Ennis on the fourth line and the second power-play unit. “If there’s a chance to make a play, I’m going to make a play,” Petan said. “It felt good to be out there again, and the goal was the cherry on top.” Failing to crack the Winnipeg lineup, Petan had been sitting healthy and cold for 72 days heading into Saturday — something the 23-year-old had never experienced in his hockey life. His last NHL goal was scored on Feb. 23… of 2018. “Our pro scouts saw something they wanted, so we’re putting him in and giving him an opportunity,” coach Mike Babcock said. “Ennis played real well in the last five games. He didn’t deserve to be out of the lineup tonight. It was just one of those decisions. He’s going back in next game [Monday in Calgary], and we’ll go from there.” 1134226 Websites miraculously found Gallagher in the slot. The wobbling puck squeaked through Murray and put the Canadiens on the board.

Bizarre. Sportsnet.ca / Loss to Penguins a game to file and forget for Canadiens “It was weird,” said Weber. “It was one of those games. Even some of the bounces we had—it bounced off someone’s shinpad and he saves it or Eric Engels pucks are going to the back post and not in. It was just a weird one. I think energy-wise, on a back-to-back and after a long road trip, I thought March 2, 2019, 11:53 PM we had good legs and did good things, but it was just a weird, weird night.”

It wasn’t a good one for the Canadiens, which was certainly MONTREAL— Not even 10 seconds of Saturday’s game had expired acknowledged by them afterwards. before Jordie Benn made the first of several Montreal Canadiens mistakes. Their follies cost two points against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Also taken into account: The quality of their opponents. Two valuable points in a playoff race tightening by the day. “Obviously they’ve got some high-end talent,” said Gallagher. “They’re It’s not as if the Canadiens weren’t up for this one. Their effort was there going to put the puck in the net. Who scored their goals tonight? Crosby? from the start. It was just one of those games where nothing went right Malkin? Guentzel? Those are some pretty premiere goal scorers. Puck’s for them—not from the second Benn coughed up a puck to Jared on their stick, you give them that opportunity, it’s tough to keep it out of McCann to start a give-and-go play Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel the net.” worked to perfection to the instant McCann put a bow on the 5-1 win with an empty-net goal. Malkin’s goal gave him his 66th point in his 59th game and Guentzel’s two goals got him to 31 on the season. Those are the breaks sometimes, and the Canadiens best forget about them quickly and move on. And Crosby? He’s now got four goals and six assists in his last four games after his four points in Saturday’s game gave him 1199 in 926 “There’s no time to feel sorry for yourselves,” said Brendan Gallagher, NHL contests. What a show No. 87 put on at the Bell Centre. whose 29th goal of the season was the only one the Canadiens managed in the game. “We didn’t get the result we wanted, so make sure The Canadiens? Not so much. we change that.” “This is a big win for them and a bad loss for us but you move on,” said Stream over 500 NHL games blackout-free, including the Flames, Oilers, Gallagher. Leafs and Canucks. Plus , Rogers Hometown He’s got the right idea. Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey and more.

Their first chance to do so comes Tuesday in Los Angeles, against a Kings team that currently ranks 29th in the 31-team league. Then it’s on Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 to San Jose on Thursday to play a powerhouse Sharks team before closing out the California swing with a game against the 28th-ranked Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Like Gallagher said, there’s no time to lament what happened against the Penguins. Frankly, the Canadiens are fortunate it didn’t cost them the playoff spot they’ve been clinging to for all but a handful of days this season. The loss did, however, bump them down to the second wild-card and it vaulted Pittsburgh ahead on a games-played tiebreaker (both teams have 77 points, but Pittsburgh has a game in hand on Montreal). A loss for the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the day secured their spot among the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference. It was an odd game at the Bell Centre, one defined by the mistakes the Canadiens made and the bounces that went against them. It started off that way right off the opening draw, with Benn turning over an easy breakout pass to Phillip Danault. When the puck found its way back to him seconds later, he curled his way towards the boards and put a backhand pass on McCann’s tape. Crosby took over from there and scored his 29th goal of the season—the 440th of his career to move past Jaromir Jagr for second place on the Penguins all-time goal list—just 21 seconds in. In the fifth minute, the Pittsburgh captain set up an Evgeni Malkin goal that tipped off of Joel Armia’s stick and beat Carey Price on the short side. And just over four minutes later, Crosby won a draw clean back to Guentzel, who beat Price through the legs on Pittsburgh’s fourth shot. No matter what the Canadiens tried from that point forward, everything seemingly went against them. They stormed back over the final 11 minutes of the first period, peppering Penguins goalie Matt Murray at every turn while holding his teammates to no more shots on net, but they just couldn’t score. Canadiens captain Shea Weber, who averages less than two missed shots a game, drilled the post on a first-period power play and missed five more times before the second period expired. Gifted scorers Max Domi and Paul Byron were each stopped on breakaways. Danault hit the post in the third. In between, some odd bounces led to breakaways for Malkin, Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese. Price came up with the goods he couldn’t muster in the early portion of the game. It was an odd turn of events. When you look at the goal Gallagher scored, it came off a broken play, too. It was a pass from Danault that banked off the side of the net and 1134227 Websites You think how the game has changed and you wonder how many winning goals he would have scored 3-on-3, although the only thing that would have frustrated him is that he wasn’t great at breakaways or Sportsnet.ca / Hockey world praises Flames legend Jarome Iginla ahead shootouts. of jersey retirement Now he’s coaching and I heard he got kicked out of a game already!" Brian Burke: Eric Francis "I hated when my clubs played against Jarome. He was always a March 1, 2019, 8:25 AM problem, usually in more than one area. He scored big goals at critical times. He fought, and dragged his teammates into the fight in the game. He led, he worked, he hit. He was a factor every night. I was afraid of him, and I wasn’t afraid of many guys. I also admired him. He Theo Fleury calls Jarome Iginla the greatest Calgary Flame of all-time. represented the league with such class. An amazing guy. I hope and pray there are always sweaters for players like Jarome in our league." He’s not wrong. Gary Bettman: Sidney Crosby is thankful for Iginla’s playmaking, Lanny McDonald praises his ruggedness, Gary Bettman cherished tapping into his hockey "Jarome’s skill and knowledge of the game are second to none. He is IQ and Chuck Kobasew still loves tapping into "Iggy’s" wallet. passionate and has always represented the game, on and off the ice, with dignity and class. He is also an independent thinker. Perhaps, it is all Cory Sarich claims he almost fought Iginla over a video game, Ron of these attributes that not only made him a great player, but made him a MacLean delights over Iginla’s birth date and upbringing, while Darryl perfect choice to be on the original competition committee that indelibly Sutter says the hardest walk he ever made was alongside Iginla after and so positively changed the game in 2005." they lost the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Theo Fleury: On the eve of Iginla’s jersey retirement we asked around the hockey world for thoughts on the man whose No. 12 will be hoisted as part of a "There is no one in the history of the franchise that is more deserving of 40-minute pre-game ceremony at the Saddledome Saturday. this honour more than Jarome. I will be watching with pride as he takes his place among the greatest Flames of all-time. Nobody epitomized The overwhelming majority tipped their cap to his class and humility, what it is to be a Flame, both on and off the ice, more than Jarome. I’m something the best man at Iginla’s wedding said was established at a glad to call him a teammate and friend. He is the greatest Flame of all- young age: time." Bill Russell, Iginla’s best man: Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, "When we were growing up in St. Albert we weren’t thinking he’d have a blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hall of Fame career or get his jersey retired or play for the Flames – we Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley were only thinking about the Oilers. But as we saw his career evolve we Cup Playoffs and more. all knew there was something special going on. Ken Hitchcock: With all his success, he was never above anyone else. He always has "The bigger the game, the bigger he played. You knew if it was an had time for people. important game he would be a major factor. Also, his sense of timing in He was never a guy who talked about himself from a young age. He just what needed to be done was perfect, whether it was a hit, a fight or went out and did it from junior high basketball to baseball. A quiet leader. anything else." He’s pretty big on principle. Even when we were younger and you made Ron MacLean: a bet – even $20 on tennis or hoops — you had to pay. Didn’t matter "My favourite thing about Jarome is his single mom upbringing, with what his bank account was compared to ours, he’d stay on you to pay Susan doing most of the heavy lifting with the help of her parents. because you had to play for money. I love that he was born on Canada Day and the 2010 Olympics in He’s always been a diligent worker and he’s passed that onto his kids as Vancouver when Crosby screamed, ‘Iggy’ and 35 million Canadians well. He has extremely strong values – what you see is what you get. heard it and a kid born on Canada Day made that pass for the Golden Whenever he calls, his first questions are always about our families." Goal. That’s the crowning achievement. Sidney Crosby: I think of the fight with (Vincent) Lecavalier, his phenomenal junior career in Kamloops and I think of him making that Olympic team in 2002 when "We’re always going to have (the Golden Goal), so it’s pretty neat. You Simon Gagne couldn’t make it to camp and Jarome got a call from can only thank him so many times for that pass. Again and again. It was Wayne Gretzky and he thought, ‘are you kidding me?’ so fun and so special. I remember during that tournament, going in, he told me ‘keep your head up, we’re going to get a big one.’ He was right. It I also got to golf with him in the U.K. and got to see what an amazing all worked out. gentle soul he was." Just a great competitor. Had a lot of fun playing with him at the Olympics. Cory Sarich: Wasn’t always easy playing against him, just the way he competed every "Their team was decimated by injuries (in the 2004 final), especially on night. He played a physical game, the way he shot the puck and was the back end, but that didn’t matter when they had a guy like Jarome in dangerous around the net. I think the biggest thing I’ll take away is just a the lineup. He was the guy that we HAD TO key on. We figured if you great person. Great teammate. Great having the opportunity to play with could limit his chances or slow him down, the rest of the team would him for Team Canada." follow suit. Not so easily done. I have seen both sides of his competitive "One of my biggest disappointments, still, was when we lost Game 7 in fire and there are not many guys that I have played with that have that the 2004 final and we were the last two walking out to the bus. I just internal drive. Seeing him drop the gloves with Vinny L. was an remember how heartbroken Jarome was. He took it on himself and said, exclamation point on how bad he wanted it. ‘if I would have scored…’ He just carried the world and team on his back. I have almost come to throwing punches with Jarome over a video game He’s a good man who stuck with a team that struggled for a long time. He on the plane! I was his teammate! That should pretty much sum it up!" was a superstar, and when you look at the character guys we had on that David Amber: team, there were no other stars. It was a work ethic thing and that was established by Jarome. "Fierce competitor. Winner. Leader. I’d say Chelly (Chris Chelios) and Jarome are the two best I ever The kind of guy you hope your kids grow up to emulate. coached in terms of the way the game was played in that era of a hard and big, heavy game. I would argue Jarome, with his class and presence on and off the ice, has done as much as anyone in the last 20 years to help diversify the There was always the question of how he got along with coaches game. because he was a stubborn guy, but he was awesome. Even at the end of his career he still had that tenacity. Jarome has been an exemplary role model for kids. He has been a significant figure, especially for minority children. Next stop for Jarome, the Hockey Hall of Fame." Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. Lanny McDonald: "Jarome played hard, he fought and was the ultimate warrior. How he played is a throwback to a guy like Cam Neely, but even more athletic. Being traded for Joe Nieuwendyk wasn’t easy, but he comes in and gets an assist his first game and scores in the second in the playoffs was magical. But it was how he stuck up for his teammates and what he did off the ice that sets him apart. To score 525 goals for one franchise before moving on is just unheard of anymore. As fans of the game, especially here in Calgary, we should cherish the thought he is getting his jersey retired. He deserves it." Al Coates: "Jarome is on a special list of great athletes we have had the good fortune to have represent this city, province and country, both at home and internationally. When you are an even better person than you are an athlete, now that is saying something in this case. “There were only two or three prospects in the whole league that fit the criteria that we had established as a return in this trade, a package of players without the A prospect was of no value for the future. Needless to say it was not popular at the time, but that is the job, it worked out well for both teams." Craig Conroy: "When you think of Jarome you think class act. There were two different people: Jarome on the ice was a (jerk). He was all about winning. Off the ice he was humble, sweet, and a good person that never let anything go to his head." Chuck Kobasew: "Getting to play and be in a locker room with Jarome Iginla as a rookie in the NHL was a surreal moment for myself. There aren’t many guys who have played this game that have the leadership, work ethic and determination that Jarome has. To learn from him and just watch how he conducted himself both on and off the ice was a privilege. Jarome was always a professional in all aspects of his life, and always treated everyone with respect. I never saw him turn away or walk past someone that wanted a picture or autograph and I really admired that about him. His competitiveness wasn’t just on the ice, we had many a battles out on the golf course and he never really liked to lose to me (which happens often). We sometimes went days without talking after a serious match. Jarome is incredibly deserving of the honour of having his jersey retired and I am honoured to have played with him and to be able to call him one of my close friends." Marc Savard: "I had the privilege of playing with Jarome in Calgary where we roomed together on the road. There is so much I admire and respect about him as a hockey player, but what stands out the most to me is what I learned from him off the ice. He is an incredible human; smart, humble and kind. A true class act. These characteristics have made him one of the most respected players in the NHL. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours." Peter Maher: "The thing that stands out for me, despite all of his outstanding accomplishments on-the-ice was how Jarome never changed his off-the- ice demeanor. Yes, he hated to lose but was always obliging with we in the media and the fans regardless of the circumstances. And always with that smile. In 2004, the night the Flames beat San Jose in the Saddledome to win the Western Conference Championship, when I left the building about an hour and a half after the game out to the back parking lot, it was raining, but yet here was Jarome signing autographs for young fans and also engaging with them asking how they were doing in school, etc. On a night to celebrate with teammates, which I’m sure he did, he put fans first. When the team was on the road, on game nights, he’d come outside the hotel 10-15 minutes before the bus would leave for the rink, making time to sign autographs for fans gathered outside. Many times, the bus delayed departure waiting for him to finish signing."

1134228 Websites Living in Boston where he coaches his two sons, 10 and 12, six days a week, Iginla was asked to confirm if indeed he’d recently been kicked out of a game. Sportsnet.ca / Jarome Iginla's fire still burns bright even in retirement "Not recently," he chuckled, before sheepishly playing along with a grin. "I guess it depends what recently means. Yes, I did. I’m probably a little Eric Francis more intense than I thought I would be. I’m really enjoying it and learning on the job. I talked to the referee after and it was just a misunderstanding March 2, 2019, 8:24 AM of what you’re able to get away with compared to what NHL referees will let go. In minor hockey you’re not supposed to say anything I’m learning. There was no cursing. I don’t plan on it happening again." CALGARY — Jarome Iginla still remembers that long, heart-wrenching The point is, the fire still burns bright for one of the game’s scrappiest walk out of the St. Pete Times Forum that muggy June evening. hombres. Next to him strode downtrodden coach Darryl Sutter, who listened to the Even after hip surgery he still hoped to rehab in time to play in the 2017 captain lament the fact he couldn’t come up with one more goal Spengler Cup with an eye on parlaying that into an Olympic chance and somewhere along the way to help make their Stanley Cup dreams come a playoff run with the Bruins. true. Now his focus is cooking, the kids and coaching. His Calgary Flames had just lost Game 7 of the 2004 Cup final 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, ending one of the most improbable playoff runs of Jordan Eberle said last week his Oilers talked before every battle with the NHL’s modern era. Calgary about the importance of avoiding anything that might agitate Iginla. It only served to bring on the wrath of a man who could beat you After igniting the city and perhaps saving the franchise with newfound so many ways. hope for a team devoid of playoff hockey the previous seven seasons, the run propped up by Iginla, goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and Sutter came to It made for the juxtaposition he’s known for, as an ever-smiling, humble, the most devastating of conclusions. boy-next-door type Albertan that every man hopes his daughter will one day marry. Fifteen years later, on eve of his jersey retirement ceremony, Iginla admitted the sting and foreign feeling of falling short in the biggest of "It’s a nice occasion so they shade it," said Iginla when asked about games is still hard to contemplate. praise of his humility that follows him wherever he goes. "It took a while to get over it — it wasn’t like the next season it was just, "I was just so blessed to have so many great teammates." ‘Great, let’s go do it again," said a refreshingly candid Iginla, surrounded by endless family, friends, teammates and fans at a luncheon in his That was his way — the hockey way — to forever deflect from praise, honour. turning it instead towards his mates. "Even now, when I look back at it, we were that close. You think of one Participating in an entertaining hot stove with Martin Gelinas, Robyn goal, you think of one shot, you think of the goal that didn’t count. You Regehr, Jamie McLennan and his bestie, Craig Conroy, Friday, people think of those type of things. saw a far more relaxed and funny Iginla than ever before. "But it wasn’t meant to be, in my mind. I have that faith. I look back and He’s soaking this weekend up, thankful the Flames are honouring him so try to focus on the good memories." soon after his summer retirement so his hockey-mad sons and daughter could appreciate it. Pausing, as if reminded this weekend’s celebration of No. 12 should revolve around the accomplishments, not the disappointments, he made "They think it’s cool and I think it’s cool too," he said with a smile. a declaration every Flames fan should take solace in. As he spoke, the two boys were playing mini-sticks in the Saddledome "I wouldn’t change it," said Iginla, adding a qualifier. hallway, proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. "If you said, ‘Would you go through that and make it all the way there and ?> go through the pain of losing, would you do it again?’ Asked how he thinks Saturday night’s 40-minute celebration will feel, he "I would. There are that many great memories and great little battles we flashed the smile every Calgarian fell in love with. won. The success we had as a group. We didn’t get the big win, but it’s "I don’t think I’m a sentimental or overly sensitive guy, but it could be something I look back on and it’s not hard to look back on. I look back at hard to hold it together — it’s so many memories all at once," he said of it as a good time." seeing his number head to the rafters alongside Mike Vernon’s and A winner of virtually every other hockey title a team could battle for in Lanny McDonald’s. hockey, including three provincial crowns his St. Albert squad won in "I’ll just try and take it in. It’s great to be back. I’ll probably be a little minor hockey, Iginla retired last summer missing just one championship emotional. It’s very special and I have a lot of family and friends coming on his resumé. in and it means a lot. No hockey fan alive could possibly think any less of the first ballot Hall of "I never dreamed I’d ever have my jersey up there — I was just thrilled to Famer. be in the NHL and was lucky enough to play 20 years. It’s surreal. I’m He’ll forever be remembered as a warrior on the ice and the classiest of looking forward to it." ambassadors off it. En route to eclipsing 500 goals and 1,000 points as a Flame, Iginla Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 personally donated $700,000 to KidSport Calgary, while also attending endless charitable events as the face of the franchise. The face of the city. Hangin’ at the Dome, Chillin’ with Jarome became part of the local lexicon as he either scored, assisted, fought and/or willed his team to wins. For a three- or four-year period he was arguably the best player in the game, yet would take on anybody in the league if a teammate needed defending, his team needed a spark or he simply snapped. That same intensity brought him and teammates close to blows over things like video game challenges and table tennis contests. It’s an edge he admits he still carries today when something — anything — is on the line. 1134229 Websites Ken Hitchcock knows he’s not coming back to coach the Edmonton Oilers next year, and he can also look down his roster and see its many shortcomings. Sportsnet.ca / Hitchcock on Oilers' mindset: 'We’re not going to be easy But that won’t stop a career coach from trying to teach this team into the to play against' playoffs, and with 10 of its remaining 17 games to be played at home, being five points out of the wild-card spot right now put some in Hitchcock’s step post-game. Mark Spector “We’re in a really good spot — mentally,” Hitchcock told reporters in March 2, 2019, 5:07 PM Columbus. “If we continue to be the kind of team we are now, we’ll be a really hard out. That was the goal: We keep playing at this level, and eventually the hockey Gods help you out. We’ve been at this level for almost a month.” When this game ended, it was supposed to be the Columbus Blue Jackets talking about the standings, and their proximity to a playoff spot. The Oilers are 4-1-2 in their past seven games, and are staying in the Instead, it was the Edmonton Oilers crowing about being five points out, conversation despite a lineup that looks decidedly Bakersfield at times. while the Jackets headed straight to the dressing room’s bathroom counter. “People [expletive] and complain about what we don’t have? Well, all we have is a team. You’ve got to give us that,” the coach said. “You can “We’ve got to look in the mirror,” said Boone Jenner, moments after complain that we’ve got American League this, or whatever. What we being booed off the ice at home not once but twice on Saturday, as the have is a damned team. And a good one. We’re not going to be easy to Jackets got walked by Edmonton, 4-0 at home. play against for the rest of the year.” This was, from the Oilers standpoint, as complete a game as any team Alex Chiasson finally scored, his first goal in 22 games. He’s all in on a could possibly play. From the Jackets side, well… late-season push. “Not the standard we’re used to here,” said Nick Foligno. “No one feels “What is there, 17 games left? We have a chance,” he said. “For us, with good in this room right now, but we have a chance to right the ship everything that’s gone so bad this season, it’s kind of neat where we’re at tomorrow (vs. Winnipeg). We need a lot more energy, a lot more right now in the standings. Playoff hockey is the best. Let’s embrace compete to be the team we want to be, and it doesn’t matter who we add this.” or who we have in our lineup.” Just call him Jari This was a Blue Jackets team that made the biggest splash at the deadline, only to have now lost two of three since the deadline, getting Josh Currie re-directed home a lovely pass from Draisaitl for his fourth bombed at home by Pittsburgh and Edmonton. career point (2-2-4) in his seventh NHL game. As it turns out, that gets you onto a list, tied with Kent Paynter for the 17th-most points in NHL The Jackets couldn’t handle Connor McDavid (three assists) and Leon history by a player from Prince Edward Island. Brad Richards owns the Draisaitl (1-2-3) — who scored his 40th of the season — while Josh NHL record for points from PEI with 932. Currie scored a goal after Oilers had pinned Columbus in their own zone for a full 1:36. Mikko Koskinen was solid in goal, stopping 30, but “Either you play on the perimeter or you play on the inside,” observed territorially the Blue Jackets weren’t close in this one. Chiasson. He plays on the inside.” Here are a few takeaways: How many of them, we’ll ask you, come from the stock that Currie comes from? His dad was a Charlottetown cop for 30 years, and his 80-year-old Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, grandfather David still owns and operates Currie’s Shoe Repair, a 106- blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown year-old Charlottetown tradition. Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. The 26-year-old has pretty good hands, and another year left on a two- year deal next season that pays him $700,000 in the NHL and $160,000 Chicken or Egg? in the minors. John Tortorella’s team mailed in a poor effort on Saturday, so the head coach did the exact same thing in his 45-second post-game media session. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 “We’re moving right by it,” Tortorella warned his questioners, after a long, audible sigh into the podium microphone. “I’m not going to pick it apart, talk about what was good, bad. We’re movin’ right by it. We play tomorrow.” He gave a similar, shorter answer to one more question then walked. It’s a shtick fans find humourous, but as a journalist, I’ve never understood the example it sets. Here’s a coach that wants players to dig in, no matter how tough the circumstances are. To get out of their comfort zone, sacrifice, and do things that they might not want to do. Because in his opinion, that is a player’s job. That’s how you get better. Then, when it comes time for the part of Tortorella’s job description that is uncomfortable and really not much fun, the example he sets is to totally cut corners and take the easy way out himself. He totally mails it in, because…? It’s hard? Name another coach who routinely blows off his press responsibilities this way? You can’t — because almost all NHL coaches respect that speaking to the fans comes with the job description. (Which it does.) Good ol’ Torts — he does the part of his job description that’s easy and comfortable, then runs from the rest of it. Not a great example to set, we would concur. A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. Hitch Post 1134230 Websites tested in negotiations by the Canucks, who will want Edler to compromise on a contract for something less than full market value.

Edler’s vow to remain a Canuck comes with the implication that he is Sportsnet.ca / Alex Edler hopeful of keeping place in Canucks' bright willing to work with Benning on a deal, and the defenceman said future Saturday he has no problem with that implication. “I’ve been fortunate to have very good contracts with money,” he said. Iain MacIntyre “But there are other things, too. It’s different when you have a family. There are a lot of factors you have to take into consideration. Those March 2, 2019, 10:45 PM things are important.” Edler still looks vital to the Canucks, who are 20-15-4 this season when their top defenceman plays, and 7-15-4 without him. That first winning LAS VEGAS – There are a few things that Alexander Edler can’t percentage would make the Canucks a playoff team in the Western remember about Feb. 4, but a pile of stuff he’ll never forget about his Conference, the second one leaves them the worst team in the NHL. National Hockey League career. Edler, whose injury history blights his resumé, missed 15 games last fall Like how the Vancouver Canucks discovered him playing as a teenager with a sprained knee suffered here when run by Golden Knight Max in a gloried beer league in Northern Sweden, and how they out- Pacioretty. He sat out another 11 with his concussion. Edler could have maneuvered the Detroit Red Wings to steal him in the third round of the missed more games due to his head injury. 2004 draft, then brought him to North America to develop and gave him the chance to play in the NHL at age 20. “I hit the ice pretty hard,” he said. “But I didn’t have any fractures to my face. I think I got lucky that way. I felt I was in good hands with the Philly How the Canucks made Edler at home in Vancouver, where he met his medical (staff) and the doctors at the hospital. When you get a head wife, Amanda Lombardo, and the couple started a family with daughters injury, things get scary because you really don’t know. Emme and River. “I just wanted to come back and play and help the team out. We still have Edler doesn’t remember gruesomely smashing his face into the ice in a chance to make the playoffs.” Philadelphia on Feb. 4, when his stick became entangled on Flyer forward Jakub Voracek and the Canuck defenceman was torqued off- And if they don’t? balance and fell helplessly, knocked out and cut open by the impact with the playing surface. “Maybe I’m just a loyal guy who wants to play here and wants to live here and win here,” he said. “I know that doesn’t always happen because the Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, business doesn’t work out all the time. I understand that. But I’ve been blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown treated well by this organization and city, and I’ve had some special Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley moments here. Going through some tough years, that’s never fun. But Cup Playoffs and more. the future looks better, and it would be pretty special to be part of that.” He recalls the ambulance ride to the hospital, and the oral surgery he underwent that night in Philadelphia, as well as a battery of tests and scans. But the game itself, the incident? Just what he has seen on Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 replays. Edler’s recovery from a concussion spanned last week’s trade deadline, when the 32-year-old (or at least agent Mark Stowe) was put in the uncomfortable position of refusing Canuck general manager Jim Benning’s request to consider waiving the player’s no-trade clause after Edler and the team began discussions on a contract extension. “It was different because there were more things going on that I knew about,” Edler, one game after his return from injury, said Saturday following the Canucks’ practice here for Sunday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. “I think behind the scenes, when I was younger, there were maybe things going on (at the deadline) but nothing that I knew about. What was different was with this one is the other deadlines, I had a contract for the next year.” Yes, that’s the thing. Edler is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’ll be highly-coveted on the open market if he reaches it. And although the Swede has said numerous times he wants to finish his career as a Canuck, it really is entirely up to him to accommodate management’s need for a contract that won’t encumber an organization that faces an expansion draft in 2021 and a lot of big paydays looming for young stars emerging from entry-level deals. Edler’s refusal to waive his NTC, negotiated in good faith as part of a six- year, US$30-million contract that was a bargain for the Canucks, frustrated a lot of fans. Many of them will be enraged if Edler signs elsewhere on July 1 and the Canucks are left with nothing. “I don’t know if there’s anything I can say,” Edler said of his NTC. “That’s in my contract; it’s every player’s right (to negotiate that). I don’t think you can even make an agreement to get traded and then sign back as a free agent. I don’t know if that’s even legal. This was just a rule I had in my contract. “I know how it works, how the business is. Managers try to make their teams better any way they can. I knew it (trade request) could happen if we didn’t come to an agreement before the deadline. I just kind of know that happens, even though if you have it in your contract.” And knowing it could happen, Edler said, he wasn’t angry that the Canucks asked him to waive his NTC. That’s business. But he wasn’t going to leave last Monday after 12 years in Vancouver and with the Canucks desperately trying to cling to the playoff race, and he doesn’t want to leave July 1, either. But his loyalty will probably be 1134231 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Coach's Corner: Maple Leafs' Zaitsev 'doesn't know how to play'

Emily Sadler March 2, 2019, 8:54 PM

Now that the NHL Trade Deadline is behind us, we’re beginning to see how new acquisitions are fitting in with their new clubs. While some are thriving in their new threads, others are taking a little longer to adjust. Take Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin, for example. Toronto traded for the 30-year-old on Jan. 28, sending their 2019 first-round pick, the rights to Sean Durzi, and forward Carl Grundstrom to the Los Angeles Kings in return. The move was applauded as the one that would bring a much-needed boost to a blue line that has needed it, but in the 15 games he’s played with Toronto it’s clear Muzzin’s transition to Toronto hasn’t exactly been as smooth as many had hoped. Rather than pointing fingers at the play of Muzzin, however, Don Cherry believes it’s his defence partner who should shoulder the blame. “I’m telling you, everybody’s on Muzzin… watch [Nikita] Zaitsev. He doesn’t know how to play,” Cherry said on Coach’s Corner Saturday night, calling him out for his play against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period of Saturday’s matchup. “You know what he is? You know what Zaitsev is? He was minus last year, he was minus the year before, he was minus in the playoffs. You know what he is? He’s a forward playing defence. And somehow or other, Muzzin is the guy they’re blaming. “Remember, Muzzin was the best player in L.A.,” Cherry continued. “He comes here and he’s having a tough time? He’s having a tough time because he’s playing with that guy. Zaitsev is not a defenceman.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134232 Websites Tavares knew it would too, and didn’t begrudge his teammates for not turning in a similar performance to Saturday’s two nights before.

“We win and lose as a team,” Tavares said. “As a team we just wanted to TSN.CA / Tavares gets happy homecoming as Leafs down Sabres in respond and it was great for the guys to give me that support [tonight], I Toronto just really appreciated it. We win and lose as a team; it was a good team effort as a team tonight, and a good bounce back.” Kristen Shilton Takeaways Petan picks it up TORONTO – When it was all said and done, John Tavares got his happy Before he suited up on Saturday, Petan hadn’t played an NHL game in homecoming after all. 10 weeks, relegated to being a healthy scratch with the Jets from Christmas break through to when they traded him to Toronto last It didn’t come on Thursday, when the former New York Islanders’ captain Monday. returned to face his former team – and their fans’ antagonism - for the first time since departing for Toronto as a free agent after nine seasons Mike Babcock decided not to waste much time after acquiring Petan to with the Isles’ last summer. see what he could do, replacing Tyler Ennis against Buffalo with the 23- year-old newcomer. Rather, it happened Saturday on Toronto’s home ice, where a tidal wave of support greeted the Mississauga, Ont., native before puck drop on Late in the second period, Trevor Moore made a great play to set up what would become a 5-2 Leafs’ win over the Buffalo Sabres. Petan for a one-timer past Ullmark that gave Toronto back a lead. It was Petan’s first goal since Feb. 23, 2018, and just the sixth goal of his 109- Unbeknownst to Tavares, the Leafs announced their starting lineup – of game NHL career. That single score also matched the entirety of which he was part of – in reverse order so his name would be last, and Lindholm’s goal production through 61 games with the Leafs. Tavares' teammates backed away to let him soak up thunderous applause and salute the bellowing crowd. Moore has been the fourth line’s spark plug ever since being recalled following Lindholm’s departure. In four games, Moore has two assists, his “I don’t know who set that all up, but we have a special group in here, centre Frederik Gauthier has two points (goal, assist), and Ennis has a tremendous people, not just hockey players,” Tavares said of the scene. goal and an assist. Moore’s ability to play heavy and attention to detail “Just the support we give one another, and to give me a moment like helps his line maintain possession and create scoring opportunities that that, it’s certainly something I’ll always remember and just shows how weren’t there before. tight we are in here and I really appreciated it.” Ennis will go back in for Toronto on Monday at Calgary, but Petan Right on script, Tavares scored the game’s first goal, too, hounding a asserted himself well after a long layoff and could be a solid option on the puck out in front of Sabres’ goaltender Linus Ullmark early in the opening fourth line going forward. He finished the game with one shot on goal in frame. It would be his first of three points on the night, and as a chorus of 7:45 time on ice. “J-T” rang down from the gathered faithful, Tavares acknowledged another lingering standing ovation from the bench. Andersen shakes it off “It was a pretty special moment certainly to be recognized like that, get Lately it’s been the players in front of Andersen starting poorly and him the support from the city and the fans,” he said. “Shows you why it’s keeping the game in close range against a barrage of shots, but on special to be a Maple Leaf. I definitely got some goosebumps, and it was Saturday, Andersen wasn’t his usual collected self in the first period. a nice little boost there. Nice to do it in a win.” Both Pominville and Sheary got pucks past Andersen that he’d normally Securing a victory was the biggest thing on Tavares’ mind after the Leafs have no trouble stopping, and looked uncharacteristically shaky through dismantling 6-1 loss to the Islanders. The Sabres didn’t make their hosts' the first 20 minutes. Sheary’s shot especially wasn’t particularly hard night easy, though. Jason Pominville and Conor Sheary responded to either; it just fooled Andersen’s glove hand. Tavares by beating Frederik Andersen one minute, thirty-four seconds The netminder shook off his opening frame to play better the rest of the apart in the first and giving Buffalo a 2-1 lead, but Morgan Rielly snuck way, but was still leaky on a couple of occasions in the third. At different through a point shot to even the score after 20 minutes. points, Marner and then Ron Hainsey had to sweep pucks from The sides were still knotted 2-2 in the second when Kasperi Kapanen, Andersen’s crease that he had only partially saved. known more for his attacking speed than truculent play, dropped the When the Sabres really pressed in the third, Andersen was back on his gloves for the first time in his career, dancing briefly with Evan A-game, making difficult stops look easy as he closed the door on Buffalo Rodrugues. for a third straight time this season. Andersen finished with 35 saves and That one of the team’s own skill players was showing that type of .946 save percentage. physicality seemed to embolden the Leafs, and Nic Petan broke through Rielly racks ‘em up the stalemate. He had only just been traded to Toronto from Winnipeg, in exchange for Par Lindholm, last Monday, and in his debut with the Leafs When Rielly scored the Leafs’ equalizer in the first period, it was his the 23-year-old buried a one-timer past Ullmark to put Toronto up 3-2. sixteenth goal of the season, most by a Leafs’ defenceman in a single season since Bryan McCabe’s 19 goals in 2005-06. Before the end of the second, Nikita Zaitsev had extended the lead to 4- 2, an injection of confidence for the defenceman after his early game was On a night where other Leafs’ blueliners struggled, Rielly’s play in his riddled with poor gap control. own end stood out as especially strong. He had a great backcheck on Jeff Skinner’s breakaway chance in the second period, slowing him down Tavares assisted on Zaitsev’s goal, and then again on linemate Mitch enough for Andersen to get his body down on the puck. Rielly plays with Marner’s empty netter that iced Toronto’s 40th win of the season. a calmness most nights that allows him to be effective breaking the puck Marner also notched a goal and two assists in a game that was as much out through traffic and he steadies the Leafs’ down in their end when about returning to form for the Leafs as it was gleaning a little redemption pressure gets chaotic. for Tavares after a lackluster showing and hostile reception on Long Rielly finished with four shots on goal in a team-high 24:32. Island.\ Here comes the boom “It’s hard [for those jeers] not to affect someone,” Marner said. “All the stuff you could hear, it doesn’t matter how strong-willed you are in your Jake Muzzin has been a work in progress for the last few weeks, still head, it’s going to affect you one way or another. That’s why I think it was adjusting to the speed of the Leafs and Eastern Conference as a whole. so special coming back home and giving him that love he deserved.” In Saturday’s outing, he had some glaring turnover problems and still And unlike the way Toronto’s solid first period on Thursday gave way to seems hesitant at times moving the puck out of the zone. But Muzzin sloppy puck management down the stretch, the Leafs showed some also isn’t afraid to use his body, and is willing to challenge opponents character of their own after giving up their early lead. with it unlike anyone else in the Leafs’ lineup. “When we got down, I don’t think we got desperate, didn’t turn the puck Muzzin started early in the first period, when he plastered Evan over,” Marner said. “We played the game we wanted to, and we knew it Rodrigues into the boards with a thundering hit that upended Rodrigues was going to come eventually.” to the ice. And later in the second, when Zach Bogosian laid a heavy hit on Moore, Muzzin responded by leveling . Toughness has been obviously lacking at times for the Leafs this season, but if Muzzin and his fellow big-bodied teammates can channel a similar attitude more often, it could help the Leafs appear more fearsome going into the postseason. Blue and White Trending Tracking Leafs’ trends all season long The Leafs are a perfect 31-0-0 when leading after two periods this season. Next up Toronto heads off on another road trip, meeting the Flames in Calgary on Monday. Open Mike “Unless you’re a great athlete and unless they love you, they don’t do that. When you get booed on the road, you must be something special. That’s the way I look at that. Our fans obviously wanted to support him here tonight, he’s an important part of our team and he made a great decision for himself and his family. We’re thrilled to have him.” - Mike Babcock, on John Tavares being booed on Long Island and then cheered upon returning home to Toronto on Saturday.

TSN.CA LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134233 Websites type of momentum, that type of speed and ability to get on the forecheck," Tavares noted. "We got to be smart with the puck. We got to understand when we have time and space to make plays and we can TSN.CA / Long Island behind him, Tavares focused on Sabres take advantage of that and there’s other times where teams are doing a good job in the neutral zone putting pressure on us."

Babcock calls rough ride in Long Island 'as good a lesson as we could Mark Masters get' Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock liked the way his team played against the Islander for 24 minutes. After that New York imposed its will TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes and according to Babcock it is ‘’as good of a lesson that we could get.’’ on the Maple Leafs, who skated at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday ahead of the evening's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Jake Muzzin is struggling to find his footing since coming over from Los Angeles and played the fewest minutes among the defencemen (17:50) Leafs Nation rallied around John Tavares in the wake of Thursday's boo- during Thursday's loss. He had -2 rating, including a misplay on a fest with the hashtag #TavaresDayTO trending on Twitter in the city. shorthanded goal. After making a strong early impression, Babcock was Even Mayor John Tory got in on the act asking fans to show their asked if Muzzin is having trouble with the quicker pace in the Eastern appreciation for the 28-year-old centre during Saturday's game against Conference. Buffalo. "He was great early," the coach observed. "And then maybe not quite as I know @MapleLeafs fans will be cheering on @91Tavares tonight! good and then you get thinking, 'What the heck am I doing?' Don't. #TavaresDayTO #LeafsForever You're a real good player, we like you lots, just play. I think Muzz makes real intelligent decisions, he's a good player for us, he's an important — John Tory (@JohnTory) March 2, 2019 player for us. Any time you come to a new situation, we've seen lots of "Ever since I’ve been here, the support’s been tremendous," Tavares guys traded, it's hard at the start. Don't overthink it, just play." said. "Playing here and being a part of it you really realize, especially Martin Marincin, playing his 11th NHL game of the season and first since from the support you get around the city and the type of fans we have, Jan. 23, was on the ice for three goals against in New York. Asked what it’s a special place to play." he's looking for from the Slovak, Babcock preferred to focus on the blue Tavares is eager to turn the page following the rough ride in his first line as a whole. game back on Long Island since deciding to leave the franchise to sign "The biggest thing we talk about with D is you can do anything you want with his hometown team. as a D-man, but you've got to keep the puck out of your net. Number one "I've gotten a lot of support," Tavares said before pivoting. "I'm just thing: the puck cannot go in the net when you're on the ice. That's the focusing now on tonight and getting ready to play Buffalo so just want to biggest challenge for all the D is we want you to move the puck, we want bounce back from the other game. We didn’t play our best." you to be good offensively, we want you to get the puck to the net, we want you to do all those things that you guys (media) talk about. I want Tavares, often described as the consummate professional, seemed to the puck to not go in the net." handle all the hate from Islanders fans as well as could be expected. He made a good play to help set up Toronto's only goal and finished with five Finding a way to slow down Jack Eichel tonight is a big challenge for the shots, which was tied for most on the team. Before the game, he Leafs. The Sabres captain has hit the scoresheet in 16 of 18 games and mentioned that the "Man in the Arena" quote by Theodore Roosevelt has scored twice during a loss in Toronto on Monday. always resonated with him and helps him make peace with negative What makes him dangerous? reactions. "Speed, elite speed," said Babcock. "He's an interesting type of skater, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong sometimes it doesn't look like it but he can really cook through the middle man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better," of the rink and then flat out shoots it. Against us last time he was the U.S. president said during a 1910 speech entitled "Citizenship in a dangerous, I thought he was the best player on the ice for both teams. Republic" delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris. "The credit belongs to the We've got to make sure we do a good job against him." man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again The Tavares line was matched against Buffalo's top unit earlier this week and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming ... if and Eichel ended up with a slight edge in shot attempts and scoring he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be chances at even strength. with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." "He does so many things well," observed Tavares. "He’s such a big body Tavares said the quote, also a favourite of LeBron James, was brought to with a long reach, but very deceptive speed. He’s very quick and has a his attention as he went through his decision-making process this tremendous release. He’s also got great poise. He really can beat you in summer. many different ways." "Certainly, with the transition I made this year, I knew there'd be some Having gotten past the Penguins in overtime last night, Buffalo is now different types of challenges so you just try to simplify things and find a aiming to win consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 11 and 13. way to get yourself prepared on a daily basis," he said on Saturday They are 0-9-1 following a win since then. morning. "And when things aren't maybe going your way or you face adversity there's always things to fall back on that (help) you stay Leafs Ice Chips: Slowing down Eichel a big challenge; Petan debuts focused on the process and where you want to get to. It's a long journey." The Maple Leafs will host the Sabres for the second time this week. In Leafs Nation rallies around Tavares: 'The support’s been tremendous' Toronto's 5-3 win Buffalo captain Jack Eichel had two goals an won the possession battle against the John Tavares line. Slowing down Eichel is John Tavares heard it from Islanders fans in his return to New York. The a key focus tonight for the Leafs. first-year Maple Leaf has been embraced by Leafs Nation and says the support has been tremendous. Nazem Kadri joined the Leafs on the ice for Saturday's morning skate. It was his first session with teammates since sustaining a concussion on And while Tavares wants to move on, it's important the team learns from Feb. 19 in St. Louis. what happened. "It's obviously good for him to be out there just morale-wise," Babcock "On Thursday, I really liked our game actually, to tell you the truth," head said. "It looks like he's going in the right direction. I didn't talk to the coach Mike Babcock said. "I thought it was spectacular for us through coaches since he's been out just to see what kind of skate they were able about 24 minutes and it just goes to show if you don't keep doing it right, to give him and what he was able to handle. I don't know the answer to you can't win in the National Hockey League. You're playing good teams. that. They'll still monitor that and see and then we'll see how hard we can I thought that was as good a lesson as we could get. Now we've got to push him. I don't know when he's ready." take that lesson and internalize that and keep moving ahead." Following tonight's game Toronto heads out on a Western Canada road The Leafs are facing some adversity at the moment with injuries to swing, which starts Monday in Calgary and includes games in Vancouver efficient puck movers Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott on Wednesday and Edmonton on Saturday. (shoulder) depleting the defence for the next few weeks. Kadri skates with teammates: 'It looks like he's going in the right direction' "Our ability to get out of our own end quick really lets our game kind of, I don’t want to say, 'Open up,' but, I guess, let it flourish and generate that After skating on his own a couple of times this week, Nazem Kadri was back on the ice with his teammates on Saturday for the first time since suffering a concussion last month. Head coach Mike Babcock knows it’s good for him to be out there and believes he is heading in the right direction. With Par Lindholm (1:39 SH TOI/G) traded at the deadline, the Leafs are looking for a new penalty killer up front. It was Patrick Marleau getting a look in that spot on Saturday morning. Marleau last played a significant PK role in the 2015-16 season when he averaged 1:17 of shorthanded ice time with the Sharks. Babcock said that the recently recalled Trevor Moore may also get a look moving forward while Frederik Gauthier may be leaned on to win face- offs. After allowing a power-play goal in five straight games, the Leafs stopped the bleeding by killing off the lone Islanders man advantage on Thursday. Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets for Lindholm, Nic Petan will make his Leafs debut tonight skating on the fourth line with his old World Junior teammate Gauthier. He'll also get time on the second power play unit. It will be Petan's first NHL game since Dec. 22. Petan planning to keep it simple in Maple Leafs' debut Acquired at the trade deadline, Nic Petan will make his Maple Leafs debut tonight against the Sabres. Petan says he is looking forward to the fresh start and plans to keep things simple. Lines at Saturday's morning skate: Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen Marleau-Nylander-Brown Petan-Gauthier-Moore Ennis Rielly-Hainsey Muzzin-Zaitsev Marincin-Ozhiganov Holl Andersen starts Sparks Power play units at Saturday's morning skate: Rielly Matthews-Johnsson-Marner Tavares Muzzin Petan-Kapanen-Nylander Ennis^ ^ Placeholder for Marleau

TSN.CA LOADED: 03.03.2019 1134234 Websites That advice would be well taken by another new face in the Leafs’ lineup, defenceman Martin Marincin. While the blueliner appeared in 10 games for Toronto earlier this season, he was waived and assigned to the TSN.CA / Leafs look to bounce back after dismantling on Long Island American Hockey League last month before being recalled on Thursday when injuries took out Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott.

Marincin had a poor first game back, posting a minus-three rating against Kristen Shilton New York in 18:14 of ice time. Rather than single out one defender's deficiencies over another in that loss, Babcock shared an easy-to-follow plan for all his defencemen come Saturday. TORONTO – It may be late in the NHL regular season, but school is still “You can do anything you want as a Dman, but you have to keep the very much in session for the Maple Leafs as they try to bounce back from puck out of your net. The puck cannot go in your net when you’re on the a 6-1 dismantling by the New York Islanders on Thursday with a re- ice,” he said. “So, that’s the biggest challenge for all our D. I want the grouped effort Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. puck to not go in the net.” “I thought that was as good a lesson as we could get,” Mike Babcock Maple Leafs projected lineup vs. Buffalo: said of Thursday’s outing after the Leafs’ morning skate Saturday. “I liked our game to tell you the truth; I thought it was spectacular for us through Hyman-Tavares-Marner about 24 minutes. Just goes to show if you don’t keep doing it right, you can’t win in the National Hockey League. Now we have to take that Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen lesson and internalize that and make sure we keep moving ahead.” Marleau-Nylander-Brown When the Leafs jumped out to a 1-0 lead over the Islanders, it was the Petan-Gauthier-Moore first time Toronto had scored the opening goal in a game since Feb. 14. More recently, they’d been the team struggling early, and then clawing Rielly-Hainsey back for come-from-behind wins. Muzzin-Zaitsev One such occasion of that was last Monday night, when the visiting Sabres outplayed the Leafs through 20 minutes and Jack Eichel had put Marincin-Ozhiganov his team up 1-0. Toronto charged back with four unanswered goals in the Andersen starts second, ceded the next two scores to Buffalo, and then secured their 5-3 victory with an empty-netter. The memory of that performance, coupled with lingering frustration over TSN.CA LOADED: 03.03.2019 how Thursday’s emotionally-charged contest got away from them in John Tavares’ return to face his former team, is fueling Toronto towards quickly re-establishing what makes them so dangerous. “Our speed, our quickness, tenacity and ability to get out of our own end quick really lets our game flourish and generate momentum and speed,” said Tavares. “Our ability to get on the forecheck makes us hard to play against. We have to be smart with the puck. I think we have to understand when we have time and space to make plays we can take advantage of that.” Playmaking is what Nic Petan believes he can bring to the Leafs, and the team’s only trade deadline day acquisition will get the chance to show it when he makes his team debut on Saturday. The Leafs sent Par Lindholm to Winnipeg in exchange for Petan last Monday, and he’ll replace Tyler Ennis on the fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Trevor Moore against Buffalo. It was a curious decision by Babcock to tap Petan now, given Ennis’ strong play has produced two goals and one assist in his last four games while his whole line has played with a lot of chemistry. But at the same time, Toronto is eager to see what Petan can do. It’s been some time since the 23-year-old forward has had a chance to play, appearing in only 13 contests all season for the Jets and last suiting up on Dec. 22. That makes it a full 10 weeks between that game and tonight for Petan, but he resolved to stay positive through the tough time and will strive to bring speed and offence to his new role with the Leafs. “I haven’t done it before, it’s a new thing,” he said of coming off such a long layoff in-season. “It’s obviously an exciting time, it’s been awhile. Just try and make as many plays as I can, pucks out, pucks in. If there’s a chance to make a play, I’ll make a play. I’m excited to get back out there and do the best I can.” “Our pro scouts saw something they wanted, so we’re putting him in and giving him an opportunity,” Babcock added. “[Ennis] played real well here, so it’s tough that way. But get [Petan] an opportunity; he’ll play on the power play and with those guys who have been playing real well, so let’s see what he does.” Petan said Babcock’s main message was to play well in the defensive zone, and “everything [else] will take over if you just work hard.” Helping Petan in his transition back to game action is that he’s already familiar with one of his new linemates - He and Gauthier were both part of Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Championship, winning gold on the very same ice the Leafs will skate on come Saturday at Scotiabank Arena. “I know how [Gauthier] plays,” confirmed Petan. “[Moore] seems like a hard worker and does the right things. I think we’ll mesh pretty well if we just keep things simple and do the right things we’ll be fine.”