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CAROLINA HURRICANES NEWS CLIPPINGS • January 8, 2017

Canes looking to make a move in homestand

By Chip Alexander

[email protected]

Boston, Columbus, Buffalo, the New York Islanders …

That’s the stretch of four games the Carolina Hurricanes have in front of them, starting with Sunday’s game against the Bruins. All are at home, all against Eastern Conference teams.

“It’s nice to get some home games and we’ve been playing good at home,” said center Victor Rask, who will play his 200th NHL game Sunday for the Canes. “We need to keep building on that and hopefully we can get some fans coming in here.”

The Canes (17-15-7) on Sunday morning were six points behind the Philadelphia Flyers, who hold the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They also have three teams between them and the Flyers in the standings including the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are 7-2-1 in their past 10 games and have played as many games (39) as the Canes.

“These homestands are very key for us,” forward Brock McGinn said. “We have a really good home record right now and we just want to keep that going. Some big wins now would definitely help our playoff push.”

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The Canes are 11-4-1 at home this season, picking up a 3-2 overtime win over the Bruins on Dec. 23 at PNC Arena, the final game before the Christmas break. Things did not go as smoothly for Carolina immediately after the break with defenseman Justin Faulk out four games with an injury, but Faulk has returned and forward Elias Lindholm, who has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury, should play in the coming week.

The Canes are coming off back-to-back games on the road, beating the St. Louis Blues 4-2, then losing 2-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks, two of the best Western Conference teams.

“The effort was real good, both nights, no question about that,” Canes coach Bill Peters said.

The power-play execution has been not so good of late for Carolina. Jeff Skinner did score a power-play goal against St. Louis, but the Blackhawks game was decided by special teams — the ‘Hawks scored a power-play goal while the Canes were 0-3 with a man advantage.

Skinner’s score is the Canes’ only power-play goal in the past nine games, Carolina going 1-for-23.

The Bruins (21-17-4) won on the road Saturday, shutting out the Florida Panthers 4-0 as Tuukka Rask had 25 saves in his fifth shutout of the season and Brad Marchand scored twice. Former Canes forward Riley Nash also picked up his second goal of the season.

Goalie Anton Khudobin has started both games against the Canes this season, beating his former team Dec. 1 in Boston and losing Dec. 23.

Cam Ward will continue to roll along for the Canes, making his 16th consecutive start.

The Canes’ lines Sunday are expected to have Rask centering Skinner and Ty Rattie, Jordan Staal with McGinn and Derek Ryan, Teuvo Teravainen centering Sebastian Aho and Lee Stempniak, and Jay McClement at center with Viktor Stalberg and Joakim Nordstrom.

The defensive pairs are expected to be Ron Hainsey-Justin Faulk, Jaccob Slavin-Brett Pesce and Noah Hanifin-Matt Tennyson.

In yet another scheduling quirk, the Canes have not faced either the Blue Jackets or Islanders — two Metropolitan Division teams — this season. With first things first for Carolina: the Bruins.

As McGinn said, “We just need to focus on our game and hopefully things will come out good for us.”

Rattie fitting in quickly with Rask, Skinner

By Chip Alexander

[email protected]

Here’s how quickly life can change in the NHL:

Ty Rattie was placed on waivers Tuesday by the St. Louis Blues.

He was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the Carolina Hurricanes.

He was placed on the Canes’ top line Thursday, with Victor Rask and Jeff Skinner, and played against his former team in St. Louis.

He earned his first point in a Carolina uniform Friday, assisting on Rask’s goal against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Finally, he was in PNC Arena on Saturday for the first time this season, putting in a team practice, checking out his spot in the locker room.


“Obviously he’s probably got a lot going on in his head, with new systems and new surroundings,” Skinner said Saturday. “But I think he’s only going to get more comfortable.”

That sounds good to Rattie. The past few days have been a blur of packing, games, plane flights, rapid adjustments, hotel life.

Rattie, 24, said it was awkward Thursday during the pregame warmups at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, looking across the ice and seeing Robby Fabbri, Alexander Steen and the other Blues.

“In warmups, it was hard to focus because every time you skate around you’d see someone else smiling at you or something,” Rattie said Saturday. “It was a weird experience. But we got the win there, and it’s not easy to win in St. Louis. I was happy with the game.”

The Hurricanes won 4-2 as Derek Ryan had a pair of goals, Skinner scored on the power play and goalie Cam Ward had another tidy game in net.

The next night, it was Chicago. Trailing 2-0 in the final seconds of the second period, the Canes scored when Rattie got off a shot from the slot, and Rask knocked in the rebound for his first goal in 10 games and 11th of the season.

“He made a great play on the back check, coming back, and in transition he was in a good spot again, and he almost put it in,” Skinner said of Rattie. “We want to keep getting better five on five and we created a little bit. We want to create a little bit more.”

The Blackhawks, getting a strong game from goalie Scott Darling, took a 2-1 victory as Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal at 13:29 of the second period was the difference.

“It felt a lot better, and I felt more confident with the puck,” Rattie said. “I thought as a line we played good and as a team we played good, too. I thought we had a lot of speed through the neutral zone, and we took it to them most of the game.”

It’s not often a player is taken off waivers and is stuck on the top line of an NHL team. Rattie, a former second-round draft pick by the Blues, is getting that chance with Rask and Skinner.

“He’s a skilled guy who can shoot the puck really good and knows the game,” Rask said.

Canes coach Peters said Saturday the Canes would continue to evaluate Rattie until the NHL All-Star break. That evaluation continues Sunday when the Canes host the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena in the first of four straight home games.

Rattie looked at home Saturday, once rifling in a shot off the rush. His last NHL goal came at PNC Arena, on Feb. 28, 2016, as the Blues beat the Canes 5-2.

That was day the Hurricanes traded Eric Staal to the New York Rangers not long before game time. Talk about an awkward situation and life changing quickly.

Gameday: Bruins vs. Hurricanes

by Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com

6:00 AM

We could probably just move this game outside.

This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to this evening's match-up between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes in one handy location. Make this a regular stop throughout the day, as we update it with notes, videos, photos and more as puck drop draws near.

It's an earlier-than-usual 5 p.m. puck drop today, so the Hurricanes will not hold a morning skate, but all your relevant gameday content will still be compiled here.

Last updated: 6:00 a.m.

CANES PROJECTED LINEUP 6:00 a.m.

We'll confirm this later today, but we don't expect much to change from two nights ago in Chicago. Cam Ward will make his 16th consecutive start in net, and Matt Tennyson is expected to draw back into the lineup.

Skinner-Rask-Rattie Aho-Teravainen-Stempniak McGinn-Staal-Ryan Nordstrom-McClement-Stalberg

Slavin-Pesce Hainsey-Faulk Hanifin-Tennyson

Ward Leighton

CANES HOST BRUINS TO OPEN FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND 6:00 a.m.


A crucial portion of the regular season begins tonight for the Carolina Hurricanes, as they look to work their way into the Eastern Conference wild card conversation.

The Hurricanes open a four-game homestand by hosting the Boston Bruins, the first game in a stretch of nine out of 10 that will be played against Eastern Conference opponents. Additionally, seven of those nine games will be played within the Metropolitan Division.

"We've got to make up some ground," head coach Bill Peters said after practice on Saturday. "The best way to do that is play divisional games or games in your conference and get wins in regulation."

The Hurricanes currently sit just six points out of a wild card spot, but they have to leapfrog three teams - Florida, Tampa Bay and Toronto - in order to supplant Philadelphia, as the standings sit right now. In the age of three-point games, that can be a more difficult task than meets the eye.

"Huge, huge," Peters said of the upcoming stretch. "We've got to go on a streak."

What better time to begin a new winning streak than now at home? This evening, the Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins, who bested the Florida Panthers, 4-0, on Saturday night. Brad Marchand scored two goals and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves in his fifth shutout of the season. At 21-17-4 with 46 points, the Bruins rank second in the Atlantic Division.

"We're going to have a real hard-fought game," Peters said. "They're a deep team right now."

Tonight marks the third and final meeting between the Canes and Bruins this season. The Hurricanes have earned three of a possible four points in their first two games against Boston this season, most recently defeating them 3-2 in overtime on Dec. 23.

The Hurricanes come home after a back-to-back set against Central Division opponents. They defeated the Blues 4-2 on Thursday but were edged 2-1 by the Blackhawks the next night in Chicago.

"The effort was good both nights, no question about that," Peters said.

Expect to see Cam Ward back between the pipes for the Hurricanes, as the veteran goaltender prepares to make his 16th consecutive start in net.

"We manage those energy levels, for sure," Peters said of ensuring Ward doesn't get fatigued. "Our schedule has been fairly favorable. There have been a couple back-to-backs but nothing ridiculous."

CANESPR NOTES: Boston native Noah Hanifin has recorded four points (2g, 2a) in five career games against his hometown team. He also scored the game-deciding shootout goal against the Bruins in April 2016. … Victor Rask, who has points in two straight games (1g, 1a), is expected to play in his 200th career NHL game tonight.

CLICKS AND CLIPPINGS

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• Hurricanes Homegrown Guide: Jan. 8

• Recap: Canes Edged in Chicago

• WJC: USA Wins Gold; Canes Prospects Settle for Silver

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Waiver claim Ty Rattie is Carolina's latest gamble on the waiver wire

By Cory Lavalette

January 7th, 2017 8:33 pm

RALEIGH — Vultures have begun circling around the Colorado Avalanche, who are currently at the bottom of the NHL standings and could be in line for a total overhaul despite a young, talented core of players.

That has led to speculation captain Gabriel Landeskog or center Matt Duchene — the second overall pick in 2011 and third overall selection in 2009, respectively — could be on the block for young defensive help.

If there’s anything the Carolina Hurricanes have in spades, it’s young defenders. From NHLers Noah Hanifin, Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin to prospects Jake Bean, Haydn Fleury and Roland McKeown, the Hurricanes are stacked on the back end for the present and beyond.

32nd — overall selection Ratte was chosen in at the 2011 draft. Hurricanes center Victor Rask was picked by Carolina 10 picks later.

However since taking over as the Carolina Hurricanes’ general manager in April 2014, Ron Francis has yet to make a roster-shaping trade, instead opting to build via draft picks, by exploiting other teams’ cap troubles (see acquiring Teuvo


Teravainen from Chicago last offseason) or taking chances on the NHL waiver wire.

The latest attempt to find waiver gold came Wednesday when Francis claimed Blues 2011 second round pick Ty Rattie. Rattie was a dynamic scorer in the Western Hockey League as a junior player, averaging more than 1.3 points per game (347 points) in 259 regular season games, plus had 39 playoff goals in 42 games his final two seasons in the WHL.

But as is often the case, Rattie’s production hasn’t transitioned to the NHL. He scored 31 goals in his first AHL season in 2013-14, but his total dropped to 21 two seasons ago and 17 last year, with his goals per game going from 0.43 to 0.36 to 0.27.

In 30 NHL games in those three years, Rattie — who will be 24 on Feb. 5 — has managed just four goals and four assists. However those numbers might be as much about opportunity as ability.

Rattie’s best NHL season was last year, but he played just 13 games with the Blues and registered four goals and two assists.

But he never played more than 11:20 in a game last season, and the most ice time he received in a game with St. Louis was 12:01, with his 30-game average just cracking nine minutes a night.

For a skill player, that’s probably not a fair shake.

And Rattie certainly wasn’t on the track for improvement this year with just four games in the NHL and three in the AHL on a conditioning stint.

He was a healthy scratch 31 times for the Blues, including in 15 straight games leading up to being waived and claimed by Carolina.

Of course, this isn’t Francis’ first spin on the waiver wheel. In October he claimed defenseman Klas Dahlbeck (Arizona) and forward Martin Frk (Detroit) in the span of three days before the start of the season. Neither has made much of an impact, with Frk returning to the Red Wings via waivers three weeks later and Dahlbeck playing 10 games through Jan. 4, including just four NHL games in November and December.

The only other waiver claim — and arguably the only truly successful one — Francis has made in his tenure was nabbing Andrej Nestrasil from Detroit in November 2014.

The Czech forward was a key cog in Carolina’s attack last season, teaming up with Jordan Staal and Joakim Nordstrom to make up the Hurricanes’ most consistent line.

Unfortunately, Nestrasil’s 2015-16 season ended Feb. 25 in Toronto when he fractured a vertebra after falling into the boards awkwardly following a hit by the Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri.

The injury, which Nestrasil said doctors told him was usually only seen in serious car accidents, has kept the 25-year-old forward from regaining his form and a permanent spot in the lineup: he’s played in just roughly half of Carolina’s games this season.

As for Rattie, he will — at least initially — get his chance with Carolina: in his first game with the Hurricanes Thursday, the former Blues winger started on a line with Victor Rask and Jeff Skinner in Carolina’s 4-2 win against his old team. His 12:59 of ice time marked a new career high. He then got his first point the next night, an assist on the Hurricanes' lone goal in a 2-1 loss at Chicago Friday. He logged 15:24 of ice time and matched his career high with three shots on goal.

Hurricanes' Ward may again be in goal against Bruins

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Another start for Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward is likely to be the case in Sunday's game against the visiting Boston Bruins.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Another start for Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward is likely to be the case in Sunday's game against the visiting Boston Bruins.

Ward has started the last 15 games for the Hurricanes and his durability and strong play puts him in line to maintain that role.

"He'll be starting if all things go to plan," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "Our schedule has been fairly favorable. There has been a couple of back-to-backs, but nothing ridiculous."

The Bruins might be inclined to stick with goalie Tuukka Rask after he registered a shutout Saturday night with a 25-save outing at Florida.

"We played a very solid defensive game and kept that gap tight in the neutral zone," said Rask, who picked up his 35th career shutout.

The Hurricanes have lost two of their last three games. Less than a week ago in their most-recent home game, they suffered a home loss in regulation for the first time in 12 games. So in order to make headway in the quest to move into playoff position, games such as this against Boston are crucial.

"It's good to play in the division, the best way to make up ground is to play divisional games or games in your


conference," said Peters, whose team is opening a four-game homestand against Eastern Conference opponents.

Sunday's game is the second on a four-game road trip for Boston.

The Hurricanes have been solid on faceoffs for most of the season, but this marks a matchup against a Boston team that can be strong in the circle as well.

"We'll have our work cut out for us on faceoffs," Peters said. "Boston has some good centers, so starting with the puck is important in this league. All five guys play a part."

This should mark the home debut in a Carolina jersey for forward Ty Rattie, who was claimed off waivers from St. Louis on Wednesday.

Building off the outcome at Florida with another game in less than 24 hours is crucial for Boston.

"We want to make sure we maintain the same mentality going into (the Carolina game) and hopefully use it as momentum," Bruins defenseman Torey Krug said.

Bruins forward David Backes returned Saturday night after a three-game absence because of a concussion.

Boston defenseman John-Michael Liles, a former Carolina player, is close to returning for the first time since suffering a concussion in November. He has missed 20 games, but did just about everything except make it into the lineup for the Florida game.

"It was a long month," Liles said. "It's never fun because a majority of it you can't do a whole lot. I'm eager and ready to get back into a game."

But with the Bruins posting a shutout of the Panthers, it's unclear if coach Claude Julien will want to alter the lineup.

"They're a real deep team right now," Peters said of the Bruins. "That gives them more options right now if they want to play a different lineup on back-to-back nights."

Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin, a second-year player, is a Boston native who has recorded four points in five career games against the Bruins.

This marks the third and final meeting of the regular season between the teams, all within a five-week period. Each team has a home overtime victory.

10 things learned at World Juniors

Troy Terry is shootout ace; Boston University stars sparkle; Wild prospects excel

by Mike G. Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer

January 6th, 2017

The 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship provided plenty of spirited hockey, a gold medal game for the ages and a collection of top prospects hoping to make their mark in the NHL someday.

It concluded with the United States winning its fourth championship after a 5-4 shootout win against Canada in the gold medal game at Bell Centre on Thursday.

The tournament's most valuable player was Canada defenseman Thomas Chabot.

The All-Star Team included goaltender Ilya Samsonov of Russia, defensemen Chabot and Charlie McAvoy of the

United States and forwards Kirill Kaprizov of Russia, Alexander Nylander of Sweden and Clayton Keller of the United States.

Here are 10 other things learned at the 2017 WJC:

Shootout sniper

U.S. right wing Troy Terry (Anaheim Ducks) experienced the greatest moment of his young hockey career not once, but twice.

Terry went 3-for-3 in a seven-round shootout to lead the U.S. to a 4-3 semifinal win against Russia on Wednesday. His encore performance came Thursday, when he scored the only shootout goal in a 5-4 win against Canada in the gold medal game.

Terry went five-hole on all four shootout goals.

You got to have Hart


Canada goaltender Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers) was perfect in relief when he made 28 saves in a 5-2 win against Sweden in the semifinal round on Wednesday. Hart entered the game 8:05 into the first period after Connor Ingram (Tampa Bay Lightning) allowed two goals on three shots.

Hart, who was the backup goalie in the previous two games, also started against the United States in the gold medal game and finished with 31 saves.

Finland avoids relegation

Finland, the defending champion, won a best-of-3 relegation round series against Latvia to avoid demotion into the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship Division 1 Group A. However, the ninth-place finish was the worst for Finland in the 41-year history of the tournament.

Thriving Terriers

A record seven players from Boston University participated for their countries at the 2017 WJC.

Never before in the 41-year history of the tournament has a North American university or junior team had seven players at the same WJC.

There were six players representing the United States: Forwards Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders), Patrick Harper (Nashville Predators), Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes) and Jordan Greenway (Minnesota Wild), defenseman Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) and goalie Jake Oettinger (2017 draft eligible). Defenseman Dante Fabbro (Nashville Predators) played for Canada.

Hischier: A 2017 draft eligible hit

Switzerland center Nico Hischier (6-foot-1, 176 pounds), an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2017 NHL Draft, opened a lot of eyes in the tournament. The leading scorer for Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League had seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games.

Wild about their prospects

The Minnesota Wild had four productive players competing for their respective countries at the tournament.

Three served as captain: Center Luke Kunin of the United States, center Joel Eriksson Ek of Sweden, and right wing Kirill Kaprizov of Russia. Greenway provided a lot of grit and tenacity in the hard areas of the ice for the U.S.

Kaprizov led all scorers with nine goals and finished with 12 points. Eriksson Ek had nine points (six goals, three assists). Greenway had eight points (three goals, five assists) and

Kunin four points (two goals, two assists) for the gold medal winner.

A bear to handle

Russia won a bronze medal for the third time in the past five tournaments and extended its streak of consecutive medals at the WJC, placing among the top three for the seventh straight time.

Russia is the only country to medal in the past seven tournaments.

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov (Washington Capitals), who made 38 saves in a 2-1 overtime win against Sweden in the bronze medal game on Thursday, finished 3-3 with a 2.11 goals-against average, two shutouts and a .927 save percentage.

Dahlin: The new Swedish darling

Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, 16, certainly didn't look like the youngest player ever to lace on the skates for Sweden's national junior team.

Dahlin (6-1, 166), projected to go among the top three selections in the 2018 NHL Draft, had one goal, one assist and seven shots on goal in seven games. He averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time.

Parsons doesn't panic

The decision by U.S. coach Bob Motzko to start goaltender Tyler Parsons (Calgary Flames) in all three games of the playoff round proved golden.

Motzko opted to change his preliminary-round philosophy of alternating starts between Parsons and Joseph Woll (Toronto Maple Leafs). Parsons made 19 saves in a 3-2 win against Switzerland in the quarterfinal round before winning back-to-back shootouts -- 4-3 against Russia in the semifinal on Wednesday and 5-4 against Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday. He made 33 saves and stopped four of seven shots in the shootout against Russia, then made 46 saves and stopped all five shootout tries against Canada.

Canada's Chabot wins MVP

Canada defenseman Thomas Chabot (Ottawa Senators) was named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 WJC, as well as the tournament's top defensemen.

Chabot led all defensemen in the tournament with 10 points (four goals, six assists) and averaged 26:14 of ice time. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound left-hander played 43:53 in the 80-minute gold medal game, which included a 20-minute overtime.


Chicago Tops Checkers by 5-2 Score

Written by Paul Branecky

Published: January 07, 2017

The Checkers lost in Chicago for the second time in five days Saturday, this time falling to the Wolves by a 5-2 score. Chicago scored twice in the first 6:36 of this contest and never looked back, with Phil Di Giuseppe scoring to briefly make it 3-1 early in the second period and Patrick Brown scoring the game’s final goal in the third. The Wolves, who won their eighth straight game and third in four meetings with the Checkers this season, scored five goals on 29 shots against starting goaltender Daniel Altshuller, with C.J. Motte stopping all 11 he faced after making his Checkers debut to start the third period. Charlotte has one game remaining on its third six-game road trip of the season, a Tuesday night matchup in Milwaukee, before beginning a season-long, eight-game home stand at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Friday, Jan. 13. The Checkers’ 23 games played on the road are the most of any AHL team.

One night following a big win over the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Checkers started slowly against a Wolves team that was coming off a 7-2 victory over Rockford on home ice, also on Friday. Chicago’s Bryce Gervais got things going just 2:45 into the game, with Jordan Schmaltz taking advantage of a 19-second, two-man advantage that came with Charlotte’s Roland McKeown and Kris Newbury in the penalty box. Chicago held a 16-5 shots advantage after the first period,

with the Checkers taking nearly 11 minutes to fire their first shot on goal. The Wolves ended the game with a 40-24 shots advantage against Charlotte, which has now been out-scored 22-46 in first periods this season. It took the Wolves’ Ivan Barbashev just 32 seconds to capitalize on carryover power play to start the second period, a goal that would hold up as the eventual game winner. After Di Giuseppe got his team back within two on a blast from the right point that scored with help from a well-placed Lucas Wallmark screen, the Wolves would answer back with two more second-period goals from Wade Megan and Reid McNeill to make it 5-1 at the second intermission. The third period’s lone goal came off the stick of Brown, who put home a nice centering feed from defenseman Dennis Robertson. Robertson’s assist gave him four points (1g, 3a) in his last five games, a sharp uptick from the single point he scored in his first 19 outings of the season.

NOTES

The Checkers allowed a power-play goal for the fifth straight game. They have killed just 12 of 19 opportunities during that span (63.2 percent) … The team’s power play is 2-for-31 in its last nine contests (6.5 percent) … Motte, an ECHL All Star who the Checkers signed to a professional tryout contract earlier this week, played the fifth AHL game of his career and first since the spring of 2015 … Forwards Andrew Miller and Brendan Woods missed the game due to injury … Forward Kyle Hagel and defenseman Kevin Raine were healthy extras.

TODAY’S LINKS http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article125270274.html

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article125189604.html https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-boston-bruins-vs-carolina-hurricanes/c-285439854 http://www.nsjonline.com/article/2017/01/waiver-claim-ty-rattie-is-carolinas-latest-gamble-on-the-waiver-wire

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/hurricanes-ward-may-again-be-in-goal-against-bruins/ https://www.nhl.com/news/10-things-learned-at-2017-world-junior-championship/c-285395370

gocheckers.com/game-recaps/chicago-tops-checkers-by-5-2-score


1042144 Carolina Hurricanes

Rattie fitting in quickly with Rask, Skinner

By Chip Alexander

[email protected]

Here’s how quickly life can change in the NHL:

Ty Rattie was placed on waivers Tuesday by the St. Louis Blues.

He was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the Carolina Hurricanes.

He was placed on the Canes’ top line Thursday, with Victor Rask and Jeff Skinner, and played against his former team in St. Louis.

He earned his first point in a Carolina uniform Friday, assisting on Rask’s goal against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Finally, he was in PNC Arena on Saturday for the first time this season, putting in a team practice, checking out his spot in the locker room.

“Obviously he’s probably got a lot going on in his head, with new systems and new surroundings,” Skinner said Saturday. “But I think he’s only going to get more comfortable.”

That sounds good to Rattie. The past few days have been a blur of packing, games, plane flights, rapid adjustments, hotel life.

Rattie, 24, said it was awkward Thursday during the pregame warmups at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, looking across the ice and seeing Robby Fabbri, Alexander Steen and the other Blues.

“In warmups, it was hard to focus because every time you skate around you’d see someone else smiling at you or something,” Rattie said Saturday. “It was a weird experience. But we got the win there, and it’s not easy to win in St. Louis. I was happy with the game.”

The Hurricanes won 4-2 as Derek Ryan had a pair of goals, Skinner scored on the power play and goalie Cam Ward had another tidy game in net.

The next night, it was Chicago. Trailing 2-0 in the final seconds of the second period, the Canes scored when Rattie got off a shot from the slot, and Rask knocked in the rebound for his first goal in 10 games and 11th of the season.

“He made a great play on the back check, coming back, and in transition he was in a good spot again, and he almost put it in,” Skinner said of Rattie. “We want to keep getting better five on five and we created a little bit. We want to create a little bit more.”

The Blackhawks, getting a strong game from goalie Scott Darling, took a 2-1 victory as Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal at 13:29 of the second period was the difference.

“It felt a lot better, and I felt more confident with the puck,” Rattie said. “I thought as a line we played good and as a team we played good, too. I thought we had a lot of speed through the neutral zone, and we took it to them most of the game.”

It’s not often a player is taken off waivers and is stuck on the top line of an NHL team. Rattie, a former second-round draft pick by the Blues, is getting that chance with Rask and Skinner.

“He’s a skilled guy who can shoot the puck really good and knows the game,” Rask said.


Rattie looked at home Saturday, once rifling in a shot off the rush. His last NHL goal came at PNC Arena, on Feb. 28, 2016, as the Blues beat the Canes 5-2.

That was day the Hurricanes traded Eric Staal to the New York Rangers not long before game time. Talk about an awkward situation and life changing quickly.

News Observer LOADED: 01.08.2017

1042125 Boston Bruins

Bruins GM Don Sweeney hasn’t ruled out a coaching change

By Fluto Shinzawa

Globe Staff

January 7, 2017

SUNRISE, Fla. — “I’m not avoiding the question,” said general manager Don Sweeney. “I think it’s an obvious one. You have to look at every different thing.”

The question is the one that regularly circulates around the NHL’s longest-tenured coach. The Bruins GM and others in the front office are trying to identify the team’s problems. Based on his answer, Sweeney and his colleagues have yet to eliminate firing Claude Julien from their list of solutions.

“I’ve given our coaches a lot of credit for how they’re preparing,” Sweeney said when asked before Saturday’s game with the Panthers if he was considering a coaching change. “We’ve had some slower starts in the last little while. But we’ve been all in together, communicating and seeing where we’re at realistically. Claude’s been receptive to putting younger players in roles that aren’t always comfortable at times. We’re continuing to work at it. I have to look at everything. Ownership would look at me and realize, ‘Well, has Sweeney done enough in the course of his time here?’ We’re sort of in the same place we’ve been, battling. But I think a lot of teams are in that.”

On Thursday, the Bruins hit the halfway point of the 2016-17 season with a 4-3 home loss to Edmonton. Based on how Sweeney assembled the team and how he projected it to perform, 20-17-4 through 41 games is not where he believed it would be.

Because of that, the temperature around the team is rising, especially near the coach.

“I think we’re shy of where I thought we would be,” Sweeney said. “We’ve left some things on the table at times. Our power play’s been a bit of an issue for us throughout the course of the year. Hopefully we’ve turned the corner on that in the last little few. That’s an area where you’re leaving things on the table, so to speak, where you can either get yourself up to getting a point, winning a game, or distancing yourself in games. It’s an important area. We’ve had some players that haven’t hit their watermarks. It’s a function of assessing, for me, personnel-wise, whether the right pieces are there, or collectively.”


This is Julien’s 10th season as Bruins coach. The Bruins are 413-240-92 under his watch.

Julien and assistants Joe Sacco, Bruce Cassidy, and Jay Pandolfo have improved several areas. The defense, currently including pieces such as a 39-year-old Zdeno Chara, stay-at-homers Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller (both with zero goals and one assist), and 20-year-old Brandon Carlo, is allowing 2.44 goals per game, eighth-lowest in the league. Carlo is averaging 21:49 of ice time, second-most among rookies. Fellow 20-year-old David Pastrnak has scored 19 goals.

In five-on-five play, the Bruins are the league’s No. 1 team in attempted shots, posting a 55.5 percent Corsi For rating. The Bruins’ bad luck may turn over time. Patience, however, is not an abundant commodity.

“You’d like to think everything will regress back to the mean and bear out,” Sweeney said. “You stick with that process and the conviction of that process. We do have a lot of things people would point to and say, ‘Would this would be a dangerous team if they got hot in terms of a playoff environment, because they have structure?’ Yes. But the bottom line is if you don’t get in, it doesn’t matter. You have to find a way.”

Two things are costing Sweeney more sleep than others: lack of finish and a bad power play. Whether firing Julien will improve either is something Sweeney has yet to determine.

The Bruins are averaging 2.34 goals per game, sixth-fewest in the NHL. Their power play is stumbling at a 14.5 percent conversion rate, with only four teams scoring less.

On Thursday, the Bruins landed more shots on net (36) than the Oilers attempted (32). But the Bruins also missed the net 20 times. Sweeney considers the whiffs unacceptable. And when the Bruins hit the net, they aren’t driving hard enough to pursue rebounds.

“Bunch of things there that have really bothered me,” Sweeney said of the inability to score. “You can look at shooting percentages and say, ‘Well, eventually it’s going to come along.’ It doesn’t come around if you miss the net. The amount of times that we do, I think, is a real problem. We have a tendency, even in quality chances, whether that’s picking corners or not making the goaltender make the save and creating a rebound as a result. Getting to the rebounds, that’s another one I’d like to question. We don’t give ourselves a chance on either side of it. You miss the net, you don’t give yourself a chance at a rebound. We get a rebound, do we have the conviction to go in there and get them?”

If firing Julien isn’t the solution, Sweeney has to find outside help on the wing. So far, he hasn’t found a deal to his liking.

Aside from Arizona, Colorado, the Islanders, and Buffalo, teams still believe they can make the playoffs. Many teams are too close to the cap to take on salary. Every GM is thinking of compliancy for the expansion draft.

“You’re seeing the waiver wire and teams utilizing that as opposed to making a trade,” Sweeney said. “I think things are going to heat up a little bit here. But it just means that supply and demand is what it is. There’s a few teams on the outside. The rest of the group is bunched up.”

It’s all a balancing act for Sweeney: making a decision on Julien, upgrading the personnel, developing prospects, and building for the future.

“It’s difficult, especially when the expectations really haven’t been lowered,” Sweeney said. “I understand that. I accept that. I’ve been very open and honest in saying that from Day 1, when I took the job, with the core we had, we’d be a very competitive team and be right in the mix of trying to challenge. You get in, you never know what happens. We’ve sort of done that. But we haven’t done enough. Last year, we were in a great position, and we [expletive] the bed. I’m hopeful we’re not tracking in the wrong direction, because we’ve been in a decent position and we haven’t taken advantage of it.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 01.08.2017


Bruins score a shutout of Panthers

By Fluto Shinzawa

Globe Staff

January 7, 2017

SUNRISE, Fla. — Tuukka Rask was under assault.

While Rask’s teammates tried to shake off their grogginess, the netminder stared down five pucks in the opening two minutes. Not only did Rask punch out all five shots, he turned back 20 more to backstop the Bruins to a much-needed 4-0 win over the Panthers at BB&T Center on Saturday.

“At least it gets you a feel for the puck,” Rask said after his fifth shutout. “They had some good chances there right in the first 10 minutes. Today was good.”

Brad Marchand scored twice, once on the penalty kill and another on the power play. Marchand scored the winner at 12:48 of the first while Jimmy Hayes was off for slashing.

On Florida’s power play, Keith Yandle tried to swat the puck toward Rask while holding the left point. Marchand closed on Yandle, blocked the defenseman’s shot, and pulled off the other way. James Reimer tried to hold his ground. But Marchand faked a forehand shot, pulled it to his backhand, and banked the puck off the right post and past Reimer for the only goal the Bruins needed.

“Just tried to make him move and move in one direction,” said Marchand of his first shorthanded goal of the season. “In the pre-scout, blocker side was a better option. I tried to go that way. Luckily it went in.”

Marchand punched in his second on one of the Bruins’ soft spots: the power play. It was nothing but soft against Florida.

Just 19 seconds after Paul Thompson was nabbed for slashing, Marchand scored his power-play goal at 9:40 of the second. Reimer kicked out Torey Krug’s slap shot. But Marchand was in the right spot to slam the rebound home. The goal gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead halfway through the night, signaling to the Panthers that a rally would not be an easy thing to construct.

“This is one of the few games where we’ve been able to extend the lead and get ourselves a win,” said coach Claude Julien, “that we feel much better about.”

Marchand snapped a five-game goal-scoring drought. It was his second two-goal performance of the season, the first coming in the season opener against Columbus when he submitted the finest game of his career.

The Panthers were not in a good position. They had played the night before, scoring a 2-1 win over Nashville. It was a costly win. The Panthers lost Roberto Luongo to an undisclosed injury and Nick Bjugstad to a groin strain.

Florida’s bodies are piling up. Others on the shelf include Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Alex Petrovic, and ex-Bruin Seth Griffith.

The Bruins did not feel sorry for the Panthers. Florida entered the night just 2 points behind the Bruins, who had tumbled out of the top three in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs had tied the Bruins with 44 points, but claimed third place because of their three games in hand.

But by the end of Saturday night, the Bruins vaulted over Toronto and Ottawa into second place in the division. Toronto lost to Montreal, while Ottawa fell to Washington. The Bruins now hold a 2-point edge over third-place Ottawa, although the Senators have four games in hand.

Saturday’s opening shifts, however, weren’t very promising.

“They came out hard,” Krug said. “A lot of teams do that on the second night of a back-to-back. First periods are generally good and quick. Sometimes they bring it to you. We weathered the storm a little bit, were able to take control of the game, then keep it for a full 60 minutes.”

The Bruins had Rask to thank for their situation. Rask bailed out Brandon Carlo midway through the first. The rookie coughed up a first-period puck to Colton Sceviour, who saw his close-range chance bonk off Rask’s blocker. Later in the first, Rask gloved Aaron Ekblad’s unchallenged snapper. In the second, when the Bruins were only up two goals, Zdeno


Chara lost a puck that resulted in a net-front chance for Jaromir Jagr. Rask calmly waited out Jagr and stuffed the shot at 6:55.

“When there was a breakdown, Tuukka was there to do his job and stop the puck,” Julien said.

“I think overall, we were pretty good in that area. Earlier, besides a few ebbs and flows, I think we played a pretty solid game. Ebbs and flows are part of a hockey game no matter who you play.”



David Backes scores in his return to Bruins lineup

By Fluto Shinzawa

Globe Staff

SUNRISE, Fla. — David Backes was close to playing on Thursday. He made it through the morning skate without any flareups.

But Backes has a concussion history. Also, Edmonton plays at high speed. Those two factors played a part in making Backes a no-go for the third straight game.

“Head injuries are pretty important things to deal with,” said coach Claude Julien. “We don’t push anybody to come back with a concussion until he feels 100 percent. He didn’t the last time before we played Edmonton, and we didn’t hesitate. We didn’t let him play.”

A tough morning skate on Thursday, a full practice on Friday (including an accidental mid-ice collision with Adam McQuaid), and another a.m. twirl on Saturday made Backes feel more comfortable about playing against Florida. The right wing took his usual spot on the second line alongside Ryan Spooner and David Krejci, ending his three-game stint out of uniform. In 16:43 of play, Backes scored one goal while landing three shots on James Reimer.

“I think it got better as it went,” Backes said of his return. “[Friday]’s practice was high tempo. I was able to get into pace. That really helped out with the pace that was out there tonight. I felt Krech, Spoons, and I didn’t need a ton of time to catch up from where we were before. We were able to score a goal as a group. It was certainly an effort by all five guys on the ice.”

Backes was back at doing what he does best: getting in front and tipping pucks. In the second period, after Krejci took a pass from Zdeno Chara and settled the puck at the left point, Backes slipped behind Jason Demers in the low slot. When Krejci’s shot arrived, Backes tipped the puck past Reimer at 4:13.

“With his shot, he draws a lot of guys into that lane,” Backes said of Chara. “When he’s able to move it over, Krech has got a lot more real estate to look at. He’s able to just throw it into my stick. I’m able to get a piece of it and get it to the weak side of the net from where the shot was coming from. Turn around and it’s in the net.”

With Backes occupying his usual spot on the second line, Frank Vatrano moved to his strong side on the No. 3 unit. The left-shot Vatrano had been manning the right side next to Krejci during Backes’s absence.

Liles close to playing

John-Michael Liles missed his 20th straight game because of a concussion. The defenseman is close to being cleared for game action. “Probably ready to go, from what I’m being told,” said Julien. “We might have to make a decision whether we think he’s ready or not to jump in.”

Joe Morrow was a healthy scratch for the 12th straight game.

Bergeron leads wayPatrice Bergeron led all players with seven shots on net in 18:23 of play. Bergeron also won 13 of 21 faceoffs. Even though Bergeron didn’t record a point, it was the kind of productive night the Bruins need from their No. 1 center . . . Anton Blidh was a healthy scratch for the first time. Tim Schaller skated in Blidh’s spot on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Riley Nash . . . Chara helped the Bruins kill

a 44-second five-on-three power play for Florida in the first following penalties to Nash and Jimmy Hayes. “The five-on-three kill was huge,” Backes said. “Z and his 15-foot reach, poking a couple pucks away. We play against that in practice. It’s really tough to play against. He showed what he’s able to do in the game on that five-on-three, which was a huge point of the game. If they score, it’s 1-1. Who knows what happens after that.” . . . Zane McIntyre is in line to make his fourth NHL appearance on Sunday against Carolina.



Bruins out of playoff picture heading into critical game vs. Panthers

By Fluto Shinzawa

Globe Staff

January 7, 2017

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Bruins will play the Panthers at BB&T Center Saturday night in an uncomfortable position: outside the playoff picture.

Toronto bumped Boston from third place in the Atlantic Division with a 4-2 win over New Jersey Friday night. The Bruins and Maple Leafs both have 44 points. But Toronto has three games in hand, thereby claiming third place.

Based on the morning skate, David Backes will play Saturday night after missing the last three games because of a concussion. Backes manned his usual spot on David Krejci’s right flank.

The Bruins will be facing an undermanned Florida team, albeit one coming off a 2-1 home win over Nashville Friday night. Roberto Luongo was injured and is day-to-day. James Reimer will be in net against the Bruins, backed up by Sam Brittain, recalled this morning from Manchester of the ECHL. Nick Bjugstad may also be missing after suffering a lower-body injury against the Predators.

Saturday’s projected lineup

FORWARD LINES

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Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak

Ryan Spooner-David Krejci-David Backes

Frank Vatrano-Austin Czarnik-Jimmy Hayes

Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Riley Nash

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS

Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo

Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid

Kevan Miller-Colin Miller

GOAL

Tuukka Rask

Zane McIntyre

Panthers at a glance

■ When, where: Saturday, 7 p.m., BB&T Center, Sunrise, Fla.

■ TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM (98.5).

■ Goals: Jonathan Marchessault 12, Vincent Trocheck 11, Aleksander Barkov 9.

■ Assists: Barkov 18, Jaromir Jagr 18, Keith Yandle 16.


■ Goaltending: Roberto Luongo (11-10-5, 2.48 GAA), James Reimer (6-5-3, 2.60 GAA).

■ Head to head: This is the fourth of five meetings. The Bruins won the first three, one in overtime.

■ Miscellany: The Panthers had lost five of six before defeating the Nashville Predators on Friday night, 2-1, behind 26 saves from Reimer . . . Jagr is second all-time in points (1,893), adding an assist to his point total against Nashville. He turns 45 next month and is in his 23rd NHL season.



Bruins notebook: Zane McIntyre takes over as Tuukka Rask’s backup

Rich Thompson

Saturday, January 07, 2017

Rookie goaltender Zane McIntyre hopes the quality numbers he posted in Providence will be a formula for success in Boston.

McIntyre was recalled to the Bruins yesterday and practiced with the team at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton. McIntyre replaces Anton Khudobin, who was assigned to Providence after clearing waivers on Thursday.

“I’m real excited and feeling good,” said McIntyre. “I’m trying to keep it simple, simplify my game and go out there and enjoy and build confidence.”

Bruins starter Tuukka Rask needs a reliable standby for the stretch of road games that begins tonight against the Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. The B’s play in Carolina tomorrow night with stops in St. Louis on Tuesday and Nashville on Thursday.

“A lot depends on situations and we’ll see how Tuukka is and everything else,” said coach Claude Julien. “There is a possibility (McIntyre will) play but we haven’t made that decision yet.”

The 24-year-old North Dakota product was 10-0-0 for the Baby B’s with an AHL best 1.41 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage. Those statistics earned McIntyre AHL goalie of the month honors in December.

“He is here because he is playing well,” said Julien.

McIntyre appeared in his first NHL game in relief of Malcolm Subban in a 5-0 loss to Minnesota at home on Oct. 25. He made his first start in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers in New York the following night. He was 0-2-0 in three games with a 4.03 GAA and a .859 save percentage.

“Obviously, my time up here I think helped,” said McIntyre. “Getting that experience and seeing those shots day in and day out slowed down the play.”

Backes takes hit

If injured winger David Backes had any questions about returning to the active roster they were answered by defenseman Adam McQuaid.

Backes, who has missed three straight games after suffering a mild concussion in Buffalo on Dec. 29, was performing normal drills on a line with David Krejci and Ryan Spooner. Backes was cutting diagonally across the neutral zone when he collided with McQuaid, leaving both men sprawled on the ice.

“That was a little excessive to test it out but no worse for wear,” said Backes. “I was all right and moving on with life and hopefully edging on to play in short order.”

Backes expects to resume play tonight but hasn’t gotten the OK from Julien.

Acciari sent down

The Bruins assigned forward Noel Acciari to Providence, a move that would open a roster spot for Backes. Acciari appeared in 19 games with two assists, four penalty minutes and an even plus/minus rating.

Acciari had a productive run with the Baby B’s last season. He appeared in 45 games and netted seven goals and 12 assists with a plus 12 rating. Acciari was captain of the 2015 Providence College team that captured

the school’s first NCAA championship. . . .

Due to the shooting at the Fort Lauderdale airport yesterday, the Bruins’ team plane was diverted to Miami International Airport.

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.08.2017


Bruins call up Zane McIntyre to back up Tuukka Rask

Rich Thompson

Friday, January 06, 2017

The Bruins recalled rookie goaltender Zane McIntyre to back up Tuukka Rask today and he practiced with the team at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney made it official after unproductive back-up Anton Khudobin cleared waivers on Thursday and was optioned to Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence.

The Bruins needed a reliable back-up behind Rask for the congested stretch of road games that begins on Saturday night against the Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.

The Bruins play in Carolina on Sunday night with follow-up stops in St. Louis on Tuesday and Nashville on Thursday. In all, the B's have 11 games in the next 20 days.

“A lot depends on situations and we’ll see how Tuukka is and everything else,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “There is a possibility (he’ll play) but we haven’t made that decision yet.”

McIntyre posted huge numbers in Providence and was named the AHL’s goalie of the month in December. The 24-year-old out of the University of North Dakota was 10-0-0 for the Baby B’s with an AHL-best 1.41 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.

McIntyre played in three games with the Bruins earlier in the season when Rask was sidelined by injury. He appeared in his first NHL game when he relieved Malcolm Subban in a 5-0 loss to Minnesota at home on Oct. 25. He made his first start in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers in New York the following night. McIntyre was 0-2-0 in three games with a 4.03 GAA and a .859 save percentage.

“I know he’s been playing well as of late, extremely well, but we haven’t had a chance to talk about it,” said Julien. “He is here because he is playing well.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.08.2017


Haggerty: Landeskog fills a need, but is price too high?

By Joe Haggerty

January 07, 2017 12:06 PM

The Bruins need scoring and desperately need more size on the wing and there just so happens to be a player out there available via trade that fits both of those categories.


The Colorado Avalanche have been a hot hockey mess for the last three seasons and it looks as if GM Joe Sakic is ready to break up his core group after they didn’t live up to early promise over the past few seasons. Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog is among those players available for the right price and Matt Duchene’s name has been out there in trade rumors dating back to last summer around the July 1 start of free agency.

Prior to this season, the 24-year-old Landeskog has been a regular 20 goal/50-60 point guy for the Avalanch. He’s been their captain and he plays a bit of the power forward game at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. He’s the kind of player you could envision performing very well alongside David Krejci as Nathan Horton, Jarome Iginla, Loui Eriksson and Milan Lucic have in the past.

Bleacher Report national writer and former Avalanche beat writer Adrian Dater reported earlier this week that the B’s approached the Avs about Landeskog, but the Bruins balked when Sakic wanted Colorado Springs native Brandon Carlo as the centerpiece of the deal. The Bruins understandably said no to dealing the 20-year-old shutdown defenseman who has already shown a very high ceiling, even if he’s hit a bit of a rookie valley over his past 15 games with a minus-10 rating.

Hearing Boston has had talks with Avs over Landeskog. Sakic wanted Carlo, and B's said no

— Adrian Dater (@adater) January 5, 2017

According to Dater, the Bruins countered with 2015 first-round pick Jakub Zboril instead of Carlo and the Avalanche were looking for more of a proven player than the Czech-born defenseman fresh off the World Junior tournament.

So, can the Bruins and Avalanche find a deal? Doubtful because I don’t think the Bruins will acquiesce on Carlo given how well he’s going to fit in with the Bruins style of play moving forward and because he would be the “shutdown guy” for the Bruins once Zdeno Chara is done in Boston. The other problem is that Landeskog is signed for the next four years at roughly $5.5 million and the Bruins will need to shed some salary in order to bring on a player with his affordable, but still substantial price tag.

That would mean moving Torey Krug ($5.25M) or even Krejci ($7.25M) in order to free up the space for Landeskog and also potentially weakening yourself at two other positions in order to strengthen at the wing.

The bottom line is this: The Bruins aren’t going to get Landeskog from Colorado if they’re looking to offer Jakob Zboril, Ryan Spooner and a second-round pick. Instead, they’ll need to sacrifice something good to make a deal like that happen. “Good” in this instance means a talented young NHL player on an entry-level deal who has already impressed people in NHL circles. The 6-foot-5 Carlo is the guy that fits that lofty billing.

The Bruins need to decide whether getting into the playoffs this season is important enough to trade off a promising young piece in Carlo for a guy in Landeskog who would be with the Black and Gold for the next four years beyond this season. That’s exactly the type of “seismic move” that the B’s need to make while looking to shake things up and break free of the midseason morass that’s seen them lose 10 of their past 15 games.

As of Saturday, it also saw the Bruins out of the playoff picture for the first time since before Thanksgiving as the Toronto Maple Leafs have passed the B’s for the final Atlantic Division playoff spot.

If the Bruins are about developing the kids and riding things out for the next couple of years as they mature, then they shouldn’t make a Landeskog deal. That’s where this humble hockey writer falls in the raging debate, while still holding onto the opinion that constructive a Cup-level core group takes years of successful drafting and player development.

But if the Bruins upper management group is feeling pressured to make a move for instant playoff gratification, then the Landeskog deal is the kind of move that would end up happening while potentially addressing some of Boston’s needs right now.

The question, as always, is what exactly constitutes the master plan for the Bruins and how important is it that the Black and Gold get back into the playoffs this season? The answers would seem obvious, but, then again, nothing is ever really obvious with the group currently captaining the Causeway Ship.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.08.2017

1042154 Columbus Blue Jackets

Rangers 5, Blue Jackets 4 | Jackets lose second straight when Rangers score late goal

By Aaron Portzline

The Columbus Dispatch

Saturday January 7, 2017 11:16 PM

It would be easy to blame the Blue Jackets’ monumental collapse Saturday on a post-winning streak hangover, a letting off of the gas pedal after the best string of play in franchise history.

But the New York Rangers’ stunning come-from-behind victory — they have a knack for these against the Jackets — followed a much simpler formula.

When Blue Jackets backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney started showing cracks in the second period, the play all over the ice fell to pieces. The Rangers silenced a sold-out crowd of 19,001 with a 5-4 win at Nationwide Arena, handing the Blue Jackets consecutive regulation losses for the first time since the first two games of the season.

The final nail was spiked home with 16.5 seconds remaining, when Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones flubbed the puck at the Rangers’ blue line and sent Michael Grabner off for his second breakaway goal of the night.

“It was certainly a struggle there,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said of the goaltending. “We can’t turn it over there at the end to their fastest guy on the team (Grabner). We do need a save from Mac. When that starts happening, your bench starts feeling nervous. Our team got nervous and we couldn’t find a way.”

The Blue Jackets suffered their first regulation loss when leading after two periods. They had been 18-0-2.

They led 4-1 early in the second period.

On Thursday, the Blue Jackets’ 16-game winning streak — the second longest in NHL history — ended with a 5-0 loss at Washington.

“This one stings,” captain Nick Foligno said. “The last game, you can say it was the streak and we have to put it behind us, but this one really bothers us because we had enough goals to win the game. We didn’t have enough zone time against a good team. When they start smelling blood, they’re going to come at you.”

McElhinney was making his fifth start of the season, giving starter Sergei Bobrovsky a rare break after Tortorella leaned on him hard in the latter stages of the winning streak. McElhinney mostly has played well this season. This was his first regulation loss.

But he allowed two tough goals to Rangers defenseman Adam Clendening, who scored his first two goals of the season.

“It’s just one of those things,” McElhinney said. “As a goalie you have to come up with some saves every now and then, and I didn’t get the saves.”

Clendening made it 4-3 at 1:22 of the third on a power play goal from the left faceoff dot, a puck that beat McElhinney to the near post. Clendening’s odd-angle shot with his back against the wall beyond the right circle sailed into the net at 12:57 to tie the score at 4.

“It starts out with a power-play goal that I think needs to be saved and it just mounts,” Tortorella said. “I don’t mean to put it all on Mac, but we need a couple of saves there.”

Game wrap-up

Three stars

Michael Grabner, RW, Rangers: Two breakaway goals, the last one a heartbreaker

Adam Clendening, D, Rangers: Two ugly goals, but, hey, he scored ’em


Scott Hartnell, LW, Blue Jackets: Keeps producing; one goal, one assist

Game summary

N.Y. Rangers 1 1 3—5

Columbus 3 1 0—4

FIRST PERIOD: 1. Columbus, Nutivaara 2 (Anderson), 1:54; 2. Columbus, Atkinson 19 (Foligno, Gagner), 4:37 (pp); 3. N.Y. Rangers, Lindberg 1 (Grabner, Holden), 14:01; 4. Columbus, Hartnell 10 (Gagner), 15:57. Penalties—McDonagh, NYR, (cross checking), 4:27; Zuccarello, NYR, (tripping), 8:12; Hrivik, NYR, (hooking), 11:15; Kreider, NYR, (roughing), 18:19; Hartnell, COL, (roughing), 18:19.

SECOND: 5. Columbus, Sedlak 4 (Johnson, Hartnell), 3:00; 6. N.Y. Rangers, Grabner 17, 4:12. Penalty—Savard, COL, (slashing), 8:50.

THIRD: 7. N.Y. Rangers, Clendening 1 (Miller, Hayes), 1:22 (pp); 8. N.Y. Rangers, Clendening 2 (Fast, Lindberg), 12:57; 9. N.Y. Rangers, Grabner 18, 19:43. Penalty—Foligno, COL, (tripping), 0:13.

Shots on goal—N.Y. Rangers 7-11-16—34; Columbus 15-13-9—37. Power plays—N.Y. Rangers 1 of 2; Columbus 1 of 3. Goalies—N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 18-9-1 (37 shots-33 saves); Columbus, McElhinney 2-1-2 (34-29). A—19,001. T—2:28.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.08.2017


Blue Jackets | Seth Jones trade paid off handsomely

By Aaron Portzline


Saturday January 7, 2017 7:35 AM

Call it Newton’s Third Law of blockbuster one-for-one trades: For every roster hole filled, there is an equal and opposite hole created.

That was the concern for the Blue Jackets one year ago Friday, when they traded No. 1 center Ryan Johansen to Nashville for defenseman Seth Jones.

But one year later, the trade has worked out marvelously for the Blue Jackets, not only because Jones has become a force as a top-pair defenseman but because center Alexander Wennberg has improved dramatically enough to replace Johansen’s production.

Both of those elements have been major drivers in the Blue Jackets’ meteoric rise to the top of the NHL standings and their just-ended 16-game winning streak, the second-longest streak in NHL history.

“We felt we needed a boost on our back end,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “It’s really hard to get a defenseman like Seth Jones, so we knew it was going to be a big trade.”

It was the kind of trade that will be kept under a microscope for years. Jones has become the top-pair defensemen he couldn’t have become in Nashville, where Shea Weber (since traded), Roman Josi and others garnered the spotlight and ice time.

With the Blue Jackets, Jones was immediately given big minutes, a big contract (six years, $32.4 million) and huge expectations. He has been paired with 19-year-old rookie Zach Werenski, giving the Blue Jackets a dynamic No. 1 pairing.

“It took him a while to understand what it would take for him to be the top guy here,” captain Nick Foligno said. “He understands that now, and he’s been the stud defenseman we need him to be.”

The knock on Jones early in his career was that being physical, even nasty at times, did not come naturally to him. But those days are done. He’s more forceful in all areas of his game, coach John Tortorella said.

“Seth has carried the puck more aggressively,” Tortorella said. “I was at him very early as far as how he started games. Was he going to be ready

to play all the time? He has certainly grown in that aspect and he’s brought his game to another level.”

It couldn’t have been easy being traded from Nashville — one of the best teams in the Western Conference — to the last-place Blue Jackets. But Jones handled it like a pro.

“When I got here last year, nothing was really going right,” Jones said. “I just tried to gain some chemistry with the guys on and off the ice. I wasn’t watching Nashville and thinking ‘Oh, man, I wish I was still there.’ There was no time for that. I was already training and getting ready for this season.”

In 72 games with the Blue Jackets, Jones has nine goals and 28 assists.

On the other end of the ice, Wennberg has matched Johansen’s production at the center position.

In 77 games since Johansen was traded, Wennberg has 13 goals and 47 assists. In 80 games with Nashville, Johansen has 15 goals and 48 assists.

“When the trade happened, I knew it was big shoes to fill,” Wennberg said. “That’s a great player, Johansen.

“People said I have to step up, especially the management and coaches. I needed to take responsibility, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.”



Blue Jackets' success drawing more fans to Arena District bars, restaurants

By JD Malone



The R Bar in the Arena District had a terrible year during the Columbus Blue Jackets’ dreadful 2015-16 campaign. This season has been different — for everyone.

The Blue Jackets are the top team in the National Hockey League, having won 16 in a row until they lost Thursday for the first time since November, and they are playing the best hockey in the franchise’s history. Things are pretty good at R Bar, too.

“Last year was probably our worst year,” R Bar owner Mike Darr said. “This year is probably our best, and it started off really slow.”

So did the Jackets, who dropped their first two games to start the season in October; however, those have been followed by only four regulation losses since.

Attendance through the Jackets’ first 19 home games averaged 14,682, 26th out of 30 NHL teams, but the crowds grew substantially in December, a month that saw the Jackets go undefeated, spurring several sellouts at Nationwide Arena.

The Jackets have never been this good, but even when they have performed well in the past, December hasn’t been a busy time, Darr said.

“The difference is how early it is happening,” he said. “We never would see a push in December like we did this year. The surge happens later in January, after football is over.”

It is the same story at Nada, Ted’s Montana Grill and other bars and restaurants near the arena.

“We are experiencing similar guest counts as in past years, but our after-game rush is stronger," said Scott Thompson, proprietor of Ted’s Montana Grill. “The casual fans are picking up."

Some of the added traffic to Arena District establishments could be from the lack of a replacement for Dick’s Last Resort, which closed in early


November. That bar and restaurant occupied a prominent, large space just across from Nationwide Arena.

At the time Dick’s closed, Bob Welcher, president of Restaurant Consultants Inc., told The Dispatch that the district can be hard on businesses because crowds are somewhat dependent on events and games at Nationwide Arena.

“If there is nothing happening down there, people don’t go,” Welcher said.

The Blue Jackets’ success, though, has put a wrinkle in that idea. Even when the Jackets are out of town, things have been busier of late, Thompson said.

“People are also coming down for away games; we’ve seen that uptick,” Darr said. “We expect a big crowd just to come and watch an away game.”

On game nights, the puck drops at 7 p.m., but the crowds arrive in the district much earlier. As the Jackets’ streak extended through December, interest swelled, and fans are arriving at district watering holes and restaurants earlier than usual.

“It’s an exciting time to be a Blue Jackets fan, and the pre-game crew has been strong,” said Colin Gregory, general manager at Nada.

“During the season, we are always the first one to be busy,” Darr said of R Bar. “Now, we’re seeing our tables fill up a half-hour earlier.”

“The best bet is to get here early,” Thompson said — “4 to 4:30 p.m., because we are packed by then.”

Ted’s takes few reservations for game nights, so good luck if you can’t get there before the crowd this weekend.

Darr also sees the Jackets’ success in his other Arena District business: the Three-legged Mare.

“The Mare always has a decent crowd that eat dinner, go to the game and maybe come back for a drink after game,” Darr said. “Now there are people that just stay here and hang out during the game.”

All the extra traffic this early in the season has Darr doing something he almost never does at this time of year — hiring. He wants to build the staff up to the levels that R Bar and the Three-legged Mare had during the Jackets playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins in April 2014.

“I haven’t seen anything like this,” Darr said. “I am writing an ad right now to hire more staff.”



Streak gives Blue Jackets big boost in sales, ratings

By Tom Reed



The second-longest winning streak in NHL history is over, but the momentum created from the Blue Jackets’ stunning run continues unabated at the box office, in merchandise sales and inside other metrics that track team popularity.

After falling one victory shy of a league record, the Blue Jackets return to action tonight against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena, where a sellout crowd is expected. Another large gate is anticipated for Sunday’s home date with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Arena ticket agents are suddenly as busy as goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the 16-game win streak that ended Thursday in Washington with a 5-0 loss.

“The sales people always feel happier when they have a little momentum, and we have a real momentum down there right now,” said

Blue Jackets chief revenue officer Cameron Scholvin. “Everything is hopping. People are excited.”

Interest in the Blue Jackets, who have wallowed in anonymity for years, is soaring and the evidence is more than anecdotal.

The club’s average home attendance in December of 16,809 fans is a 20 percent increase from the same month a season ago, Scholvin said.

The club’s television ratings are up 88 percent compared with the same number of games last season, according to a Fox Sports Ohio release.

The club’s merchandise sales on Shop.NHL.com are 52 percent better than this time last season, while jersey sales have risen 56 percent. In the team gift shop, Cam Atkinson and Zach Werenski jerseys are fast movers. Even William Karlsson jerseys are in demand.

The club’s digital and social media traffic also have risen by about 50 percent, Scholvin said.

But the most encouraging numbers involve ticket sales, which are the lifeblood of NHL franchises. The Blue Jackets (27-6-4) sit atop the league standings with 58 points and would need an epic collapse to miss the postseason.

The team’s hot streak arrived at an ideal time in terms of marketing because ticket-plan sales tend to wane after the holidays, Scholvin said.

“We’re seeing an unprecedented spike in our sales whether it’s single game, groups or planned packages,” said Scholvin, while declining to reveal specific numbers. “I think fans are realizing the playoffs are becoming more and more a real possibility. Everyone remembers how special that was (in 2009 and 2014) and to be guaranteed tickets you have to have a plan.”

ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell said the streak does not enable a chronic loser to rebrand itself. That must come over time, he added, in a state where the casual sports fan has watched the Cleveland Cavaliers win a title and the Cleveland Indians reach Game 7 of the World Series.

“The streak is nice, but ultimately what does this lead to?” Rovell said. “What do the Blue Jackets do in the playoffs? I think the (mindset) is as tough as it’s ever been in Ohio sports fan history.”

Scholvin agrees to a point.

“I think it takes awhile to change people’s perception on the winning part of it,” he said. “But the streak was a big boost to that. I think people are starting to believe now.”


1042132 Buffalo Sabres

Jerry Sullivan: Sabres showing signs of a competitive edge

By Jerry Sullivan

Published Sat, Jan 7, 2017

Updated Sat, Jan 7, 2017

Jake McCabe had stitches above and below his right eye, which was puffy and discolored. He had a nasty cut on the bridge of his nose. His right hand was wrapped. He looked as if he'd eight rounds with a hedge trimmer.

The Sabres' young defenseman wore his wounds proudly, like ribbons from a victory well-won.

"I think that one takes the cake," McCabe said of his hit on Winnipeg's star rookie winger, Patrik Laine, during the Sabres' rousing third-period comeback against the Jets on Saturday afternoon.


Yes, the hit on Laine was the biggest of McCabe's season, and likely his NHL career. Seasoned fans might agree it was the most thunderous hit by a Sabre since Brian Campbell laid out the Flyers' R.J. Umberger at the Arena in overtime of the opening game of the 2006 playoffs in Buffalo.

They say fans don't truly pay attention to the Sabres until the Bills season is through. So in their first home game since the merciful end of the local NFL season, the Sabres responded with an emotional, 4-3 comeback that could be the biggest win of the Jack Eichel era.

The hit was only the most resounding part of it. The Sabres, who were so dreadful for half the game that coach Dan Bylsma gave them a tongue-lashing on the bench during a TV timeout, came to life in the third period by scoring twice in a 26-second span to tie the game, 3-3.

Fans were still celebrating Zemgus Girgensons's game-tying goal when McCabe leveled Laine, the league's leading rookie scorer, near the Jet's blue line. Laine lay on the ice for several minutes and had to be helped to the dressing room, his afternoon at an end.

Seconds later, Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele sought retribution for McCabe's crushing hit and wound up with a roughing penalty. After the final buzzer, Dustin Byfuglien tried to get at McCabe and a lively scrum ensued deep in the Sabres' end, with the net dislodged and Byfuglien and goalie Robin Lehner throwing wild haymakers at one another.

Oh, did I fail to mention that Brian Gionta, who hadn't scored a goal in 10 games, netted the game-winner with 10:06 left? Or that ex-Sabres Drew Stafford and Joel Armia had scored earlier, inspiring disgusted fans in KeyBank Center to boo Buffalo off the ice after the second period?

It was lively stuff, and a sign that this maddening Sabres team might be finding its competitive personality. They still have a lot of shortcomings and a tough road ahead, but in that third period they looked like a team that's developing a healthy disdain for losing.

"Oh, I think it's got to be our call and our cry," coach Dan Bylsma said. "We've got to be – all of us – tired of not winning hockey games. We can't accept not winning hockey games here and the guys came out and answered the bell."

It cannot be a coincidence that the Sabres discovered their passion after Eichel went into a tirade after a loss in Boston on New Year's Eve, tossing equipment and epithets around the dressing room after his team dropped both ends of a home-and-home with the Bruins.

Eichel is only 20, but he's the franchise, the team's competitive conscience and a rising leader. Maybe he's growing tired of a culture that accepts losing – that actually encouraged it two and three years ago. Whatever the case, the team has taken five of six points since – and Eichel seethed about the one lost point.

"Yeah. I think that emotion needs to be there every night," said Eichel, who saw his five-game point streak snapped. "Play with that little edge, a little swagger. We've got a lot of guys who can do that. It's the type of team we need to be.

"We got a huge hit from 'Caber' and we scored a couple of goals," he said. "The crowd got into it after they booed us off the ice in the second. So it's a great team win. That's how we got to play in this building. It's probably the loudest I've heard it."

Bylsma said the team's response in the third period was similar to Eichel's in the dressing room after the loss is his native Boston: Embarrassed, frustrated, angry and determined to turn things around.

The fans in the arena, which has been likened to a library in recent years, rose to the moment. The question persists: Is it the Sabres' often listless play that puts the crowd to sleep, or the lifeless fans who fail to bring out their emotional best on a more regular basis?

The Sabres are 8-8-3 at home, the same point percentage (7-7-6) as on the road. They had a worse record at home than away last year. They haven't won more than they've lost at home since the 2011-12 season. You're a playoff fraud if you don't have any semblance of a home-ice advantage.

On Saturday afternoon, they finally woke up and showed how electric the place can be when the team and the crowd are passionately engaged. The mystery is why they can't do it more often, why they come out flat so often, as they did again against the Jets.

"It's a simple thing," McCabe said. "Once guys start figuring out what makes you successful, you get in a little bit of a streak. That's what we need to get ourselves back in the playoff hunt.

"I think everyone was pissed off. It wasn't just Jack. Everyone. It's frustrating, it really is. We see how we can play. We played well in New York and Chicago, we just need to continue to sustain this."

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.08.2017


Sabres bring the noise, bring home victory

By John Vogl


Whenever the Sabres win, cheers and applause are audible in Buffalo’s dressing room. The players and coaches take a few minutes to celebrate before opening the door.

There are certain victories that feel – or sound – different. This was one of them.

“It has the feel of a turnaround game,” coach Dan Bylsma said Saturday after a 4-3 comeback victory over Winnipeg. “We left it all out there. We played hard in the third period and came all the way back to get the win. It feels like a big game for us.”

There’s no doubt. The roar from the room was louder than normal. The chants were more intense.

Now they need to keep it up.

“Consistency is the word for our team,” goaltender Robin Lehner said. “Going from periods like the first two to a period like the third is incredible.”

Incredible is one word. Another way to put it is season-altering. At least the Sabres hope so.

“It shows that we have the pieces in here,” Lehner said. “We’ve got to just decide if we want to play that for 60 minutes.”

So many things went right for the Sabres in the final 20 minutes that it’ll be a colossal failure if the team doesn’t build off it:

*After being totally outmatched for two periods, they scored three times to erase a 3-1 deficit in suddenly raucous KeyBank Center.

*Jake McCabe made highlight reels across the hockey world with a clean, open-ice hit that knocked out rookie sensation Patrik Laine.

*The Sabres fought together after the final buzzer, with the six guys on the ice (including Lehner) going fist-to-fist with the Jets in a 12-man battle royale.

“It was a good way to end it,” Sabres left wing Marcus Foligno said.

It’s the type of victory that can galvanize a team. The Sabres, who leapfrogged from 16th to 13th in the Eastern Conference, need to come together if they want to make an improbable push for the playoffs.

“We needed to pull our heads out and get playing the game,” Bylsma said. “We got momentum from the whole group of guys pushing and playing their guts out to come back in that game.”

Foligno started the rally, scoring with 5:12 gone in the third. Zemgus Girgensons followed up by tying the game, 3-3, just 28 seconds later.

After only 13 more ticks of the clock, McCabe caught Laine with his head down. The rookie didn’t get up for several minutes and wobbled to the dressing room.

Patrik Laine just got destroyed by Jake McCabe pic.twitter.com/Lcy5ITO2Em

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 7, 2017


“A big turning point in the game there,” Sabres captain Brian Gionta said. “It changes their focus. They start running around, trying to redeem that hit, and we were able to settle into our game and continued to push forward.”

Added Foligno: “It’s a good hit. It’s a star player, though. You have to have a reaction from any team. If not, it’s embarrassing. We know they’re going to answer with something. We did our best as a team.”

The Sabres’ biggest punch was scoring again. Gionta completed the comeback, finding the net with 10:06 to play. Lehner needed to make just five saves during the third period as Buffalo shut it down one game after allowing Chicago to rally.

“The guys were just going,” Girgensons said. “That’s how we have to play every period from the start. Teams can’t handle that if you play with such a high pace. You finish them, you put the pucks on the net, and that’s how you win games.”

As Girgensons talked, blood trickled from a gash on his swollen nose. He got cross-checked in the final minute, just before the main event. After the buzzer, the Jets rushed toward the Buffalo net. Lehner manhandled Bryan Little, then tried to fight Dustin Byfuglien as officials and the net separated the two.

“They came in and they started [expletive],” Lehner said. “You’ve got to stick up for each other. It’s too bad the refs came in between.”

Crazy finish to Sabres/ Jets. Lehner shoves Little, Byfuglien throwing punches over the net pic.twitter.com/V38RsSTmew


The adrenaline of the fight and the rush from the victory spilled into the locker room, hence the shouts and applause. The Sabres and their fans will find out if it carries into the rest of the season. The first opportunity comes when Philadelphia visits Tuesday.

“It’s been a good week for our hockey team,” said Lehner, whose team went 2-0-1. “We’ve just got to keep building, keep practicing, keep doing the things that we’re supposed to do. If we stick to the game plan, we’re going to see better results.”



Sabres notebook: Hard hit on Laine rocks rookie and Winnipeg Jets

By Amy Moritz



The momentum had swung to the Buffalo Sabres at the start of the third period. And, just as the Winnipeg Jets were trying to regroup themselves, they took another blow.

A literal blow. To the head of their best player and one of the rookie stars in the National Hockey League.

Just about six minutes into the final period, after the Jets saw their 3-1 lead evaporate into a 3-3 tie in KeyBank Center Saturday afternoon, they saw Patrik Laine flat on his back.

Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe leveled the Finnish rookie in a head-on check. Laine was on the ice for several minutes. He buckled slightly as he skated off the ice with assistance and did not return to the game.

The Sabres went on for a 4-3 win and the Jets left Buffalo with the potential loss of more than just two points.

Immediately after the game, Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said there was "no update," on Laine. "I don’t have a problem with the hit. They hit heads. It was a straight-on hit."

But it still took an emotional toll on the Jets.

"What would you think?" said former Sabre Drew Stafford when asked what the mood was like on the bench. "It’s our best player, arguably. So it’s not good any time you see a guy in that kind of a position on the ice with his helmet and the way he was.

"I’ve been there before," said Stafford who missed 15 games with a concussion this season from a hit in a preseason game. "It’s not a good feeling. I don’t really want to comment on the hit, it’s not my place to do that. I just hope Patty’s OK. It’s just unfortunate."

Unfortunate from a practical standpoint as well. Laine, who set up Winnipeg's first goal, entered the game as the rookie leader in scoring with 36 points and was tied with Auston Matthews in rookie goals with 21. When the Jets found themselves down, 4-3, they were missing one of their best offensive weapons.

"I mean the momentum was shifting at that point so it probably bumped in their direction a little bit more," said Jets' forward Blake Wheeler. "Especially when we’re all of a sudden down a goal and he can provide instant offense. Not having him on your bench definitely hurts."

There was an immediate response from the Jets as forward Mark Scheifele, on the ice at the time of the hit, went after McCabe and got called for a roughing penalty.

"It was a split-second thing during the game so I still haven't really gotten a good look at what happened," Scheifele said.

But Maurice didn't have a problem with the response.

Scheifele "does what I think you want him to do even if it’s clean like that," Maurice said. "It’s a reaction. It’s an emotional reaction. I’m fine with how," Scheifele "handled that."

The Jets built a 3-1 lead after two periods thanks to goals from two former Sabres – Stafford and and Joel Armia. It was the third goal of the season for Stafford and second for Armia as the Jets dominated the first two periods before the wheels came off in the third.

"They just took advantage of a couple miscues on us," Stafford said. "It was just unfortunate, especially the way that we played for a majority of the game. I definitely felt we were in control of a majority of the game and it’s just the way the ebbs and flows of this game go sometimes. ... They just took advantage of a couple mistakes and it’s just the way it goes."

Defenseman Josh Gorges was a late scratch for the Sabres, deciding after warm-ups he could not play.

Gorges left the game in Boston on Dec. 31 with a hip injury and missed Tuesday's game in New York against the Rangers. He did play Thursday in Chicago.

"Practice," Friday "was fine – I guess as fine as fine could be – and today with the 1 o’clock game and coming to the rink, he wasn’t 100 percent and wasn’t where he needed to be,"Bylsma said. "It actually killed him to not be going out there."

That put Taylor Fedun back in the lineup. He was scheduled to be a healthy scratch. Fedun was plus-1 in 10:33 of ice time with two shots and one blocked shot.

After his impressive performance, although no medal, at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, the Sabres assigned Alexander Nylander to the Rochester Americans. In seven games for Sweden, Nylander was tied for the tournament scoring lead with 12 points (five goals, seven assists). Sweden lost to Russia, 2-1, in the bronze medal game.

Nylander has 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 29 games with the Amerks in his rookie pro season.

Rasmus Ristolainen logged a career-high in ice time, playing 30 minutes and 22 seconds.

Other Sabres' statistical notes:

Ryan O'Reilly had a goal and assist, giving him 13 points in his last 14 games including four points (one goal, three assists) in two games since returning from an appendectomy that sidelined him for four games.

Sam Reinhart, who assisted on O'Reilly's goal, has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his last nine games.

Brian Gionta is now tied for the team lead in even-strength goals with eight.




Quick hits: Sabres 4, Jets 3

By John Vogl


The Sabres saved everything for the third period. Everything.

Buffalo scored three times, delivered one of the biggest of the NHL season and energized the crowd with a dominant 20 minutes Saturday afternoon. The late surge delivered a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in KeyBank Center.

After two lackluster periods, the Sabres woke up with a vengeance in the third. They erased a 3-1 deficit to improve to 2-0-1 in their last three games.

The Jets' problems may be bigger than the loss. Buffalo defenseman Jake McCabe lambasted rookie Patrik Laine with an open-ice hit early in the third. The Rookie of the Year candidate stayed flat on the ice for several minutes and needed help while wobbling toward the dressing room.

Patrik Laine just got destroyed by Jake McCabe pic.twitter.com/Lcy5ITO2Em


Comeback starts: Defenseman Cody Franson waited for the Jets to start a line change, then fed Marcus Foligno for a breakaway. The winger's deke put Connor Hellebuyck down, and Foligno slipped the puck between the goaltender's skate and the post. It trickled across the goal line by an inch or two with 5:12 off the clock in the third, pulling Buffalo within 3-2.

Comeback continues: Matt Moulson fed Zemgus Girgensons crossing in front, and the Buffalo left winger got Hellebuyck to the ice before sending home a backhand. The tying goal came just 26 seconds after Foligno scored.

Comeback complete: Brian Gionta gave the Sabres their first lead of the game, 4-3, with 10:06 remaining. The captain waited (and waited) for Hellebuyck to go down before ending a 10-game scoring slump.

Revving the Jets: Winnipeg opened with the first five shots and took a 1-0 lead in the process. The scoring play started with a Sabres highlight as Girgensons flattened Mark Scheifele, but not before the Jets defenseman pushed the puck to center ice.

Laine beat McCabe to the loose puck and went around the defenseman for a two-on-one. Nikolaj Ehlers sent Laine’s feed past a sprawling Robin Lehner with 4:48 off the clock.

Final-minute connection: The Sabres, who were in a 14-6 shot hole at one point, rallied late in the opening period to tie the game. Ryan O’Reilly took Sam Reinhart’s cross-ice pass, faked a feed of his own and shot between the legs of Hellebuyck with 23.4 seconds left.

Winnipeg finished the first period with a 15-10 shot advantage.

Not good: The second period was forgettable for Buffalo. Winnipeg fired 11 pucks at Lehner and scored twice before the Sabres even took a shot. Three straight penalties by the Jets in the final 6:18 allowed the Sabres to finish the period with just a 15-10 shot deficit, but they exited the ice to boos while in a 3-1 hole.

Stafford alone: Former Sabres right wing Drew Stafford entered with just one goal in his last 17 games. He ended the slump on the power play to give Winnipeg a 2-1 lead. Stafford easily found space between Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe on a drive to the net. Stafford took three whacks at a goal before connecting with 2:30 off the clock.

The goal was just the third of the year for Stafford, who has played 27 games.

Armia alone: Former Sabres right wing Joel Armia entered with just one goal in 16 games this season. He, too, ended his slump to give the Jets a 3-1 lead. Adam Lowry took a shot from the left boards, and Armia cruised unobstructed through the slot to easily bury the rebound with 7:51 off the clock.

Power outage: The power play has been the Sabres’ First Star this season, but it failed Saturday. Buffalo couldn’t capitalize on the Jets’ parade to the penalty box late in the second, allowing Winnipeg to hold on to its two-goal lead.

Buffalo had six shots with the man-advantage, and Jack Eichel hit a post.

Late scratch: Defenseman Josh Gorges took part in the Sabres’ warmup, skating alongside Zach Bogosian, but he didn’t come out for the game.

The Sabres’ makeshift defense featured McCabe with Ristolainen, Bogosian with Franson, and Justin Falk alongside Taylor Fedun. Coach Dan Bylsma said during his pregame news conference that Fedun was going to sit.

Still out: Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (back) missed his fifth straight game because of injury. Left wing William Carrier sat for the second game in a row because of illness.

Winnipeg defenseman Tyler Myers missed his 26th straight game with a lower-body injury. The ex-Buffalo blue-liner has two goals and five points in 11 games this season.

Linesman milestone: In a pregame ceremony, the Sabres, Jets and NHL honored linesman David Brisebois for working his 1,000th game. Buffalo captain Brian Gionta and Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler each presented Brisebois with a signed stick.

Counting the house: The Sabres announced a sellout of 19,070 tickets sold.

Next: The Sabres have a few days until their next game, so they’re expected to take Sunday off. They’ll return to practice Monday to prepare for Tuesday’s visit by the Philadelphia Flyers. Buffalo will hit the road later in the week for games in Tampa Bay on Thursday and Carolina on Friday.



Inside the Sabres: Murray feels the draft

By John Vogl



Tim Murray put his scouting cap back on the last couple of weeks. Historically, it’s fit him well.

Before becoming the Sabres’ general manager in 2014, Murray oversaw the drafting of 61 players for Anaheim and Ottawa. More than half (32) have made it to the NHL. You may recognize some names.

Ryan Getzlaf. Corey Perry. Erik Karlsson. Mike Hoffman.

Unlike last month’s study of Darcy Regier’s drafts, a look into Murray’s selections reveals an ability to hit at the top and find sleepers in the later rounds.

Murray was in charge of the Ducks’ drafts in 2003 and 2004 as the director of player personnel, and he served as the Senators’ assistant general manager for the 2008 to 2013 drafts. He looked at future picks during his recent stay at the world junior championships. Here’s a look at his past.

2003

Numbers: The Ducks selected nine players, with four playing at least one game in the NHL. In fact, the four have played at least 500 games each.


Who they picked: Anaheim held the 19th and 28th picks in the first round, and Murray set a Stanley Cup-winning foundation. He picked Getzlaf at No. 19 and followed up with Perry.

The 2003 NHL Draft is regarded as one of the most talented pools ever, and Murray plucked the second- and third-leading scorers. Eric Staal entered the weekend with 814 points in 966 games, while Getzlaf had 771 points in 823 games. Perry was third with 693 points in 844 games.

Who made an impact: The Ducks selected forward Drew Miller in the sixth round and defenseman Shane O’Brien in the eighth. Anaheim did not have a second-round pick.

2004

Numbers: The Ducks selected eight players, with three playing a game in the NHL.

Who they picked: This was Murray’s worst draft – he missed on his second-round pick and the first of two third-rounders – but his selection of Ladislav Smid at No. 9 helped change the Ducks. Before the defenseman suited up in the NHL, Anaheim dealt the prospect to Edmonton as part of the package for Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger.

Who made an impact: Third-round pick Tim Brent played 207 games in the NHL.

2008

Numbers: The Senators selected seven players, with six making it to the NHL. That’s an impressive 85.7 percent.

Who they picked: Defensemen dominated the draft, with Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Alex Pietrangelo, Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers going in the top 12. Murray found arguably the best of the bunch at No. 15, selecting Karlsson.

Who made an impact: The Sens drafted defenseman Patrick Wiercioch in the second round, forward Zach Smith in the third and blue-liner Mark Borowiecki in the fifth.

2009

Numbers: The Senators selected nine players, with five playing in the NHL.

Who they picked: Murray unearthed a gem in the fifth round with the selection of Hoffman. The forward had 56 goals over the previous two seasons and is on pace for 24 this year.

Ottawa took stay-at-home defenseman Jared Cowen at No. 9 overall, leaving first-rounders Dmitry Kulikov and Nick Leddy on the board. However, Cowen had enough potential that he was sent to Toronto as part of the trade that landed Dion Phaneuf.

Who made an impact: The Senators’ first five picks have become established NHLers, including second-round selections Jakob Silfverberg and Robin Lehner. Ottawa sent Silfverberg to Anaheim as key piece of the deal for Bobby Ryan, and the Senators acquired a first-round pick from Murray and the Sabres for Lehner.

2010

Numbers: The Senators selected four players, with one reaching the NHL. They did not have a pick in the first or second round.

Who they picked: Ottawa holds a playoff spot in part because of another late find by Murray. In the sixth round he took Mark Stone, who is Ottawa’s highest-scoring forward.

The Sens didn’t pick until No. 76 in the third round, and forward Jakub Culek is out of hockey after not reaching the NHL.

2011

Numbers: The Senators selected 10 players, with eight playing in the NHL. That’s 80 percent.

Who they picked: Murray had three first-round picks, highlighted by the selection of Mika Zibanejad at No. 6 overall. Stefan Noesen (No. 21) was part of the Bobby Ryan trade. No. 24 Matt Puempel was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers this season.

Who made an impact: The Senators found forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the fourth round and forward Ryan Dzingel in the seventh.

2012

Numbers: The Senators selected seven players, and two have reached the NHL. Ottawa did not have a second-round pick.

Who they picked: This rivals 2004 as Murray’s worst draft. The Senators used the No. 15 selection on defenseman Cody Ceci, who is a key piece of the Ottawa blue line. Goaltender and third-round selection Chris Driedger has played three games for the Senators, but it’s likely none of the other picks will reach the NHL.

2013

Numbers: The Senators selected seven players, and three have reached the NHL. They did not have a second-round pick.

Who they picked: Ottawa drafted forward Curtis Lazar at No. 17. He entered the weekend 11th in his draft class with 160 games played. Fourth-round selection Tobias Lindberg was also part of the Phaneuf deal, while fellow fourth-rounder Ben Harpur has seen spot duty with the Senators.

It’s too early to judge Murray’s three drafts with the Sabres, but things will bode well for Buffalo if the GM can keep his success rate above 50 percent and flirt with 80 percent again.

HOLBROOK HITS WALL STREET

The New York Stock Exchange celebrated the Professional Bull Riders on Friday with cowboy Jess Lockwood opening the trading. A former Sabres employee shared the stage with him.

Jeff Holbrook, who spent 19 years with Buffalo and now runs a sports marketing agency, took part in the Wall Street event. Holbrook joined the Sabres in 1992 as a media relations assistant before advancing to a variety of jobs, including eight years on Lindy Ruff’s staff as the administrative assistant coach in charge of video.



Five things to know as the Sabres host Winnipeg

By Amy Moritz


It's a matinee day for the Buffalo Sabres as they host the Winnipeg Jets in KeyBank Center with a 1 p.m. faceoff. Here are five things to know for the game:

1. Robin Lehner will start. While Anders Nilsson got the last two starts, it's back to Lehner in goal. Lehner picked up the win when the teams met in Winnipeg on Oct. 30, letting in one goal on 38 shots. He has dropped his last two starts, both to the Bruins, a 4-2 loss in Buffalo on Dec. 29 and a 3-1 loss in Boston o n Dec. 31.

2. Falk is in. Fedun is out. Justin Falk returns to the Sabres blueline after he was scratched last game. Fedun, who played in New York and Chicago after being recalled from Rochester on Jan. 3, will be the defensive scratch.

"I just like the matchup with Justin in this lineup against this big, heavy team that w'ere playing against in Winnipeg," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said in his pre-game meeting with reporters.

In other lineup notes, William Carrier is still "under the weather" and will be out of the lineup, so the Sabres will go with the same 12 forwards who played in Chicago on Thursday.

3. The Sabres win against the West. Buffalo is 6-3-2 against the Western Conference this season, including nabbing points in each of their last four games against teams from the other conference. The Sabres have won their last three games against Winnipeg.

4. Patrik Laine brings a 'wow' factor. Laine, who last was in KeyBank Center when the Jets were drafting him second overall in June, leads all


rookies (including Auston Matthews) with 36 points (21 goals, 15 assists) in 41 games.

"I think the wow factor is more than the shot," Bylsma said. "You see his snipping ability, you see the one-time from the top of circle, you see him coming down the wing, but I think the wow factor now is a little bit more of his skating and play-making ability to shake a guy and move laterally and get open. That's maybe the wow factor because I know he's only played a few games in the league, 30-40 games in the league. But you're seeing more and more than just the shot."

5. Some Sabres are streaking. Rasmus Ristolainen has 17 points in his last 17 games while Jack Eichel is on a five-game point streak with six points (three goals, three assists) in that time. The streak is tied for the longest of his career within a season.



NHL Power Rankings: Jackets on top, Leafs and Canucks climbing

By Mike Harrington



Through Friday's games. Last week in parenthesis.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky's player-of-the-month December (12-0-0, 1.75, .939) keyed winning streak. (1).

2. Pittsburgh Penguins. In 12-1-2 run, only regulation loss was in Columbus. (2)

3. Chicago Blackhawks. United Center is a bucket-list rink to visit. Great show on, off ice. (4)

4. New York Rangers. Handled twice by Sabres as Lundqvist has struggled. (5)

5. Minnesota Wild. Battled back from pair of two-goal deficits for win in San Jose. (3)

6. Washington Capitals. Streak-busters were hoping Jackets' run was still intact when they hit town. (8)

7. Montreal Canadiens. Gallagher out two months after hand crushed by Weber slapper. (6)

8. Anaheim Ducks. Kase scores in last minute of OT to beat Coyotes. (12)

9. San Jose Sharks. Nieto lands on waivers, claimed by Avs. (7)

10. Edmonton Oilers. Hat trick and fight vs. Chara made for solid night for Maroon in Boston. (10)

11. St. Louis Blues. Those powder blue Winter Classic sweaters are sweet. (13)

12. Philadelphia Flyers. Blue Jackets beware: Philly just 1-5-2 after 10-game winning streak ended. (11)

13. Ottawa Senators. Growing rumors of outdoor game vs. Habs next December. (9)

14. Toronto Maple Leafs. Finish to Centennial Classic was pillar moment in 100th season. (17)

15. Vancouver Canucks. Sudden streak to a playoff spot. (26)

16. Calgary Flames. Elliott won five in a row after 3-9-1 start. (15)

17. Boston Bruins. Team's showing on ice didn't match classy pregame ceremony to honor death of 98-year-old legend Milt Schmidt (14)

18. Tampa Bay Lightning. Lots of concern after 6-1 home loss to Nashville. (16)

19. Los Angeles Kings. Former champs look like chumps again. (20)

20. Florida Panthers. Fort Lauderdale ceremony reminiscent of Sabres' Flight 3407 remembrance. (22)

21. Nashville Predators. Subban misses first game against Habs. (21)

22. Carolina Hurricanes. Endured 2-1 loss in Chicago despite 40-24 edge in shots. (18)

23. Dallas Stars. Lindy moves to No. 4 on all-time games list at 1,450. (19)

24. Winnipeg Jets. Hit town off two strong wins and good tan in Florida. (23)

25. Detroit Red Wings. They're very mediocre for first time in a long time. (24)

26. New Jersey Devils. Hall made first appearance against Oilers. (25)

27. New York Islanders. Hard to believe Capuano or Snow can last (27)

28. Buffalo Sabres. Play with pep on the road that's absent at home. (28)

29. Arizona Coyotes. Nine straight losses. The analytics crew is failing miserably. (29)

30. Colorado Avalanche. Matter of time before Iginla gets dealt. (30).



Amerks come up blank in Toronto with 5-0 loss

Staff report

Published 9:06 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2017 | Updated 8 hours ago

The Rochester Americans were shut out 5-0 by Toronto on the road Saturday. The loss snapped the Amerks’ three-game win streak overall as well as their three-game win streak against the Marlies.

Rochester falls to 15-19 overall.

The Buffalo Sabres returned Alexander Nylander to the Amerks after he played in the IIHF World Junior Tournament for Team Sweden. Nylander tied for the tournament lead with five goals and seven assists (12 points).

Byron Froese had two goals and an assist and Rinat Valiev, Kerby Rychel and Andreas Johnson each added a goal for the Marlies.

Garret Sparks earned the shutout for the Marlies with 24 saves in net.

Linus Ullmark, who recently was named to the AHL-All-Star roster, made 37 saves for Rochester.

The two teams square off again at 3 p.m. Sunday in Toronto.

Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 01.08.2017

1042298 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Infusion of new blood helping Canadiens overcome injuries

RYAN DIXON JANUARY 7, 2017, 11:56 PM

While the usual suspects continue to light the way, a rash of injuries has opened the door to a small-scale Montreal Canadiens youth movement. And the kids are doing plenty to prove their worth.


The Habs earned a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Saturday night largely because Carey Price was his usual stellar self and the team’s top two scorers—Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov—padded their point totals.

But there was no denying the youngster’s contributions during a game where rookies Artturi Lehkonen and Michael McCarron scored, while Nikita Scherbak—called up just days ago from the AHL—had a memorable NHL debut, making a nifty backhand-forehand move right in front of Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen to restore a 3-2 Montreal lead with 0.9 seconds remaining in what had been a wild opening stanza.

"Honestly, I only dreamed to step on the ice in my first NHL game," said Scherbak, the 26th overall pick in the 2014 draft. "To score a goal, it’s amazing."

It’s certainly incredible that the Canadiens, playing without key figures like Alex Galchenyuk, Andrei Markov, Brendan Gallagher and Andrew Shaw, continue to win hockey games. The victory over the Leafs was Montreal’s third straight and the club ended a tough seven-game road trip with 10 of a possible 14 points in its pocket.

That would not have been possible without great work from some pretty green players.

"Guys are getting opportunities and they’re playing great," said defenceman Shea Weber.

While nobody is mistaking this for an Auston Matthews/Mitch Marner-type deal, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the fact Montreal has incorporated new blood into its roster because the focus tends to fall on the veteran leaders.

Scherbak’s quick hands against the Leafs exemplify why there’s hope for his long-term upside, while Lehkonen—who had a monster playoff in the Swedish League last spring—is quietly scoring at a 20-goal pace during his freshman campaign.

McCarron, meanwhile, was viewed as a project from the moment he was drafted 25th overall in 2013. A few years down the road, he’s beginning to look like a bona fide NHLer who can use his six-foot-six frame to impact the outcome of games.

"That’s what we’re brought here to do, fill some roles," McCarron said. "It’s unfortunate that some of our top guys are out, [but] that’s why they bring us young guys in here to produce and to continue to get points for this hockey team."

Then there’s still-young Nathan Beaulieu, who turned 24 last month and is playing the most productive hockey of his fledgling career. The left-shooting defenceman has seen his responsibilities rise recently with Markov sidelined by a groin injury and he’s responded in a big way, posting seven points in his past five outings while leading all Habs in ice time during the two wins preceding the victory over Toronto.

"Points aren’t the only thing that tells you a player is playing well, but he’s doing a lot of good things," said Weber. "He was playing well earlier in the season, too, even though he wasn’t getting points. Maybe he just wasn’t getting the recognition, but we knew he was doing some good things."

The Habs were in universal agreement that McCarron did a good thing when he engaged Leafs tough guy Matt Martin after the latter roughed up Beaulieu during a skirmish around the Habs crease. Despite his own heft, McCarron knew he’d gotten himself into a spot by dropping the gloves with the notoriously tough Martin.

"Probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but you know what, you can’t run over my teammate like that or something is gonna happen," he said.

Weber sent the same message to Toronto forward Zach Hyman at the end of the second period. Earlier in the frame, Hyman crashed into Price after colliding with a Montreal defender while driving the net. Even if it appeared Hyman couldn’t avoid the Habs’ star stopper, one of the red, white and blue boys was going to have something to say about it.

"It’s nice to know when you go out on the ice that your teammates have your back," Price said.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.08.2017

1042299 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens’ Plekanec could be available by NHL trade deadline

GEOFF LOWE JANUARY 7, 2017, 9:34 PM

Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec has had a disappointing first half to the 2016-17 season, and could be available at the trade deadline should his struggles continue.

“(The Canadiens) are going to start to get healthy with (Alex) Galchenyuk coming back,” Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said on Hockey Night in Canada’s Headlines segment Saturday. “But there’s a sense that if (Plekanec) doesn’t get re-engaged that he might be available by the trade deadline.”

After recording 60 and 54 points in the ’14-15 and ’15-16 seasons, respectively, Plekanec has managed just three goals and 16 points in 39 games for the Canadiens this season. The 34-year-old’s shooting percentage (4.4) is currently the lowest of his 12-year career.

Plekanec is currently under contract with Montreal through the ’17-18 season with a cap hit of $6 million.

His name has come up in trade rumours before, but the Czech forward has survived them all to become the Canadiens' longest-serving player after Andrei Markov.

Plekanec was a third-round pick of the team in 2001, and has reached the 20-goal mark seven times in his career.


1042300 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Mitch Marner’s magic makes even a loss worth watching

LUKE FOX JANUARY 8, 2017, 12:22 AM

TORONTO – The God-awful start, the spotty defence, the collision with the division’s 2017 All-Star Game captain goaltender, the 40 minutes worth of penalties and 15 giveaways… Mitch Marner did everything in his might to overturn it all and swing the game Toronto’s way.

A performance like the one displayed Saturday night by Toronto’s other Calder candidate—seriously: don’t rule Marner out of the race with so much track left—can make it fun to go downtown on a minus-10 winter’s eve and watch the home side lose, to the Habs, again. For the 13th consecutive time.

’Twas the second night of another Leafs back-to-back. The Leafs looked sloppy off the opening draw. Unfocused, (overworked?) goaltender Frederik Andersen allowed a goal 20 seconds in and two goals on the first three shots he faced. Then he remained in to allow three more, underscoring Toronto’s need for a backup its coach can trust.

Nikita Soshnikov (upper-body injury) was a late scratch, and rookie Frederik Gauthier got tossed for engaging Bobby Farnham in his first fight.

The bench thinned, and Marner thrived — engineering the “3” in Toronto’s 5-3 defeat to the Atlantic Division pacesetters.

Two of the 19-year-old’s three assists (all primary) were of the did-you-just-see-that variety. He led the club with four takeaways, snapped four shots on Carey Price himself, and led his club with 28 shifts.

Marner now leads all NHL rookies and all Leafs in assists (22), all Leafs in multi-point nights (10) and three-points outings (four). The kid’s what those in the business might call a game-breaker.

Now, with 32 points, the Thornhill, Ont., native has drawn within three of pal Auston Matthews in the freshman scoring race. The debate should not be “Will the Leafs send Matthews to the all-star game?” it should be,


“How much can the Leafs save on Los Angeles hotel fees if Matthews and Marner room together?”

Though he’s threatening a 70-point season, it’s art, not math, which makes Marner great.

First, he poured gasoline on the Leafs’ blazing power play by one-touching a blind, backhanded pass to a streaking Tyler Bozak in the slot, taking some guy named Shea Weber along for the ride. You may have already seen this on your favourite highlight show:

Marner said he didn’t need to peek to know Bozak would be flying up the middle.

“Lucky enough, it bounced the right way off my stick and landed on his,” said Marner. Aw, shucks.

“It’s just chemistry. In London, we [Marner, Matthew Tkachuk and Christian Dvorak] were doing plays like that all the time. We knew where each other was going to be. That’s what it was like again tonight.”

Nazem Kadri banged in a rebound off a Marner power-play shot to knot the game 2-2 in the second frame, igniting the biggest crowd for an indoor Leafs game this season, but the Habs rebuilt their two-goal lead by committee.

When Gauthier got tossed for fighting, Babcock leaned on Marner to kill penalties for the first time, as well as to generate offence on them.

“We had no penalty killers, so somebody had to go. I saw him penalty kill in junior a ton. Threw him out there. He’s got a good nose and good jump and good stick,” Babcock sais.

“Mitch was real good. He was skating and jumping.”

Also jumping: Zach Hyman, who flew over Price, the fan-picked all-star of the division, when he cut fast to the crease and got bumped by Alexei Emelin. Price’s helmet flew off, and Weber and Phillip Danault pounced on Hyman while he was down on the ice.

Hyman would get whistled for a questionable goalie interference play and rough it up again with Weber after the second-period’s buzzer sounded.

"I'M GONNA DRIVE THE NET ALL THE TIME. GOT BUMPED." -ZACH HYMAN ON PRICE COLLISION

— LUKE FOX (@LUKEFOXJUKEBOX) JANUARY 8, 2017

“It happens fast. The ref made a call on it. It’s hockey,” Hyman explained. “I’d rather [Weber engage me face-to-face] than punch me in the back of the head when I’m down. I have no problem with him coming after me after that, but I’d rather not get punched in the head there.”

Still chasing the game, Marner circled the Habs zone to set up a gift for James van Riemsdyk smack in the crease. Yet even with the kind of playmaking exhibition that once made Babcock say, “I’ve never coached a kid that young that good,” needing five goals on Price to earn a point is too tall an order.

Marner looked too wonderfully naive to know that.

“I watched Marner play with Max [Domi] for two years in London, so I know what he’s capable of,” Leafs alum Tie Domi said.

“The puck follows him around. He’s got eyes in the back of his head, always looking. You just hope he doesn’t let his guard down, especially in the second half. Second half, every game is like a playoff game. Teams in your conference try to hurt you, so you have to be aware.”

Oh, Marner's awareness is improving all right. Just as opponents are becoming more aware of him at both ends of the ice, and — now — on both special teams.

As the microphones huddled him at the end of his three-assist night, Marner made one last pass, saucing all the praise to his linemates.

“Guys I play with—they get open for me and get me the puck and find space for me, so big credit goes to all them. Me, Bozie and JVR were doing a lot of give-and-go’s tonight and creating space for all of us,” Marner said.

“It’s things like that that’ll get you two points.”

Or, worst case, leave us entertained.


1042301 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Auston Matthews a likely all-star, despite Lamoriello’s preference

GARE JOYCE JANUARY 7, 2017, 11:49 PM

Even in an almost-half season of exceeding expectations, controversy in Toronto is a given.

You’d think that the Maple Leafs could somehow avoid it for a few days in the news cycle, especially when things are giddily good. Even with a 5-3 loss to Montreal at the ACC Saturday night, Toronto is still five games over .500 with 39 contests in the books.

The Leafs posted the worst record in the NHL last season but, with a rookie-laden roster, they are where few among them imagined possible in the fall: contending for a playoff spot.

And when you look at their best player across that stretch, you’d think that he’d be no source of controversy whatsoever. Even after going pointless in the loss to the Canadiens, Auston Matthews has 21 goals and 35 points.

A half year after being selected with the top pick in the draft, Matthews finds himself where even the most rabid Leafs fans only dreamed he’d be: lurking around the top of the league goal-scoring leaders. OK, maybe they allowed themselves to dream after his four-goal NHL debut in Ottawa, but still, you’d have to believe Matthews’ life should be tempest free.

Lou Lamoriello is in his second year as Toronto's general manager but he has picked up on the spirit of the thing. With the Leafs going into a mid-season four-day hiatus, breaking out in good news all around, someone needed to whip up something.

Thus it has come down second- and third-handed that Maple Leafs management wouldn’t be unhappy if Matthews stayed home rather than go for a casual skate at the all-star weekend in Los Angeles.

I don’t have the stats in front of me but it’s a metaphysical certainty that an NHL player can get into more trouble if he doesn’t mingle with the stars and instead goes to Vegas or the Caribbean. The risk of injury in the all-star festivities—“game” so overstates it—is probably on par with a couple of rounds of air hockey.

Supposedly Lamoriello isn’t keen on his young star getting eyestrain looking up at the spotlight. Or that the franchise player might come back with sunburn and an inflamed ego. Or that a teenager really shouldn’t be around a bunch of louche veterans in the league’s elite.

Which is all pretty rich and entirely Lamoriello’s history.

When Lou was in New Jersey, he earned a reputation for patience in the development of young talent. Extreme patience. It wasn’t just that 18- and 19-year-old players need not apply. It wasn’t just that an extended AHL apprenticeship was what you signed on for. It went way beyond that. Prime example: Sergei Brylin had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup in June and was back down in Albany in October. And the October after that. That was the Devils’ culture.

It must be said be that Lamoriello never had a teenager whose talents were in the range of Matthews.

This, of course, is not a collision course. This isn’t a deal-breaker. Lou is 74 and Matthews will be in the organization when the GM is rolled out for alumni events only. Lou isn’t a father figure but a grandfather figure.

Of course, Lamoriello’s organization never gave a damn about the stuff that draws attention to the league and its players. The Devils were notorious for keeping their players’ profiles low. If Lamoriello had his druthers in New Jersey he’d probably take their names off their sweaters. Maybe their numbers.

He could do that in Jersey because the Devils won a lot more than they lost for a long time and he had Cups he could dine out on. He could do that in Jersey because the Devils weren’t anybody’s priority in the media


or the general population. That was the reason that they were David Puddy’s team.

If he hasn’t noticed yet, someone should tell Lou that he’s not in Secaucus anymore.

Toronto fans have waited a long time for games that matter. They’ve waited a long time for a young talent who can pass for a franchise player and can survive the spotlight. Previous management envisioned Phil Kessel as that—make your case either way on the former count but on the latter he was ill-suited.

Saturday night was far from a great game for Matthews going into the four-game break but it wasn’t so very bad. He still wins what looks like a 50-50 puck four times out of seven. It’s uncanny. He competed on every shift, didn’t act out when things didn’t go his way.

When he wasn’t on the first power play—or even the second—in the second period, when he wasn’t the choice to go out in a four-on-four situation, his fire didn’t go out. And as admirable as the likes of Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, William Nylander and whoever else lands on his wings are, you wonder exactly where Matthews might be in the league scoring with an established veteran threat alongside him.

What would he be doing with, say, Alexander Radulov on his right side. I get that you don’t go out to the open market and sign Radulov, not because of his mixed history, simply because you’re trying to develop talent. But still, Radulov killed the Leafs on Saturday.

Matthews, of course, should go to the all-star game if he stays healthy. I’d bet that he will go and it won’t be a matter of a kid getting his way but rather those invested in the Leafs—that being both ownership and the fans.


1042302 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Coach’s Corner: Shea Weber needs to keep his shots low

RORY BOYLEN JANUARY 7, 2017, 8:25 PM

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Shea Weber this past summer (for P.K. Subban, in case you’ve forgotten), they picked up the two-time reigning hardest shot champion at the NHL All-Star Game.

At the past two events, Weber won with shots clocked at 108.5 and 108.1 miles per hour. The all-time record is held by Zdeno Chara, who hit 108.8 miles per hour in 2014.

That shot can be both a blessing and a curse. While it’s nice to have a defenceman who is once again on pace for 20 goals, Weber’s shot has also, at times, hurt the Canadiens. Literally.

There were two instances this week where Weber’s shot hurt his own player. On Tuesday, during a morning skate in Nashville ahead of their game against the Predators, Weber’s shot hit Max Pacioretty in the ankle and forced the captain to leave the ice early. That one didn’t turn out so bad, as Pacioretty played that night.

The very next day though, during a game in Dallas against the Stars, Weber fired a one-timer from the point on the power play that ran high and hit Gallagher in the hand. The result? Gallagher will miss at least eight weeks of action after having surgery. He missed time last season with a hand injury as well after blocking a Johnny Boychuk shot.

On Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner Saturday night, Cherry said Weber needs to know his own strength and be a little more careful when he shoots, and how he shoots around teammates.

"I’m sure they’ve gone to Weber and said 'look if I’m going to stand in front, you gotta keep your shots low," Cherry said. "That was up high. This is like (Boris) Mironov used to blast them up high. You can’t stand in front, guys won’t want to stand in front."

And as far as practice and warmups go, Cherry thinks Weber should holster his weapon.

"And Pacioretty in practice. He should always say to him, 'with a cannon like that, you don’t slap it in practice and you don’t slap it in warmup.' "


1042303 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / 6 current players to be named in NHL’s 100 greatest players list

CALLUM FERGUSON JANUARY 7, 2017, 10:13 PM

As a part of NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, the NHL will be revealing the remaining 67 members of its 100 greatest players list.

The first 33, who all played predominately pre-1967, were announced on Jan. 1 before the Centennial Classic in Toronto, and were highlighted by legends like Jean Beliveau and Gordie Howe.

The remaining 67 will be all players who played from ’67 through to the present and, as Nick Kypreos outlined during Saturday’s Headlines segment, six current NHL players are expected to be included.

“There (are) six current players who are expected to be part of that top 100,” Kypreos said. “We can (only) speculate here, but you know that (Sidney) Crosby is going to be there, the Stanley Cups in Chicago with (Jonathan) Toews and (Patrick) Kane (are going to be there), and there’s even some talk about maybe (Drew) Doughty, Duncan Keith or (Zdeno) Chara being on the list.”

Most of these players have reached superstar status, and if they are going to be in L.A. for the ceremony, they are also going to be expected to play in the all-star game, which many star players have boycotted in the past.

"The sense is that if the players are going to be out there (in L.A.), they are going to play in the all-star game," said Kypreos. “With one exception, as we know that (Jaromir) Jagr is going to be on that list as well, (and) he may have the leniency to sit there and (get the NHL to) say ‘OK come out to California, but you don’t have to play if you don’t want to.’”

Jagr, 44, now sits second on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,893, and has earned more than enough respect to call his own shots.


1042304 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens’ Plekanec could be available by NHL trade deadline

GEOFF LOWE JANUARY 7, 2017, 9:34 PM

Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec has had a disappointing first half to the 2016-17 season, and could be available at the trade deadline should his struggles continue.

“(The Canadiens) are going to start to get healthy with (Alex) Galchenyuk coming back,” Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said on Hockey Night in Canada’s Headlines segment Saturday. “But there’s a sense that if (Plekanec) doesn’t get re-engaged that he might be available by the trade deadline.”

After recording 60 and 54 points in the ’14-15 and ’15-16 seasons, respectively, Plekanec has managed just three goals and 16 points in 39 games for the Canadiens this season. The 34-year-old’s shooting percentage (4.4) is currently the lowest of his 12-year career.


Plekanec is currently under contract with Montreal through the ’17-18 season with a cap hit of $6 million.

His name has come up in trade rumours before, but the Czech forward has survived them all to become the Canadiens' longest-serving player after Andrei Markov.

Plekanec was a third-round pick of the team in 2001, and has reached the 20-goal mark seven times in his career.


1042305 Websites

TSN.CA / Marner's big night not enough to keep Leafs' point streak alive

By Kristen Shilton

TORONTO – On Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens looked ready to re-ignite their storied rivalry. After letting the Habs’ jump out to an early lead, the Maple Leafs rallied in a back-and-forth affair but ultimately fell short, 5-3. It was Toronto’s first game without earning at least a point since Dec. 19 and knocked them back out of the playoff spot they earned with Friday’s victory over New Jersey.

Magic Marner: Rookie Mitch Marner turned in one of his best performances to date with a three-point night against Montreal. He was Toronto’s most dominant player, setting up all three of the club’s goals with sensational individual efforts showcasing his great vision and patience with the puck. For the first time this season Marner was also out on the penalty kill with Frederik Gauthier being ejected for fighting and he generated multiple shorthanded scoring chances in his 2:22 of ice time. While there wasn’t much open space at even strength, Marner and his linemate James van Riemsdyk were in on every goal. Along with Tyler Bozak, they were the Maple Leafs’ best offensive trio in a game where Mike Babcock was forced to roll mostly three lines once his fourth line centre was tossed.

No love lost here: Between two long-time rivals, there were plenty of flaring tempers. Leo Komarov and Alexander Radulov were both penalized early for unsportsmanlike and Radulov and Nazem Kadri were at each other from puck drop. Gauthier and Bobby Farnham were ejected in the second period after a lengthy fight, while Matt Martin tangled simultaneously with Michael McCarron. Then two calls against Toronto later in that period drew loud choruses of disapproval. While barreling towards the Habs’ net, Zach Hyman was prepared to pull up but got pushed into Carey Price by Alexei Emelin. The Canadiens swooped in and peppered Hyman with punches and the rookie was assessed a penalty for goalie interference. Later in the frame Kadri was tripped up by a Hab and went awkwardly into the boards, but was given a delay of game penalty. To cap the second, Shea Weber and Hyman exchanged blows. All in all, 24 penalties were handed out, including seven for roughing.

Steady Freddie unsteady: For the third time this season, Frederik Andersen got the call in net on back-to-back nights after winning in his first outing. But after watching his goaltender give up five goals on 31 shots, including two quick ones at the start of the first and second periods, Babcock admitted he made a mistake turning to the netminder in consecutive games. Andersen allowed two noticeably soft goals – one that went off his arm, another that trickled five-hole – and he conceded after keeping his head in the game on the second of two nights can be a challenge. Andersen is expected to carry the load in net, and is already on pace for 69 starts this season. Whether Toronto has the confidence in rookie Antoine Bibeau to step in and win games for them, or if there’s a need to reevaluate the back-up position, are questions for the season’s second half.

About face: One area where the Maple Leafs have strived to do better is in the faceoff circle, and Saturday was a rare night where they had a better winning percentage in the dot than their opponent. While he was held off the score sheet otherwise, Auston Matthews won 73 per cent of his faceoffs to lead the team, contributing to his strong possession numbers (62.50 Corsi-for percentage). Overall Toronto won 54 per cent

of their draws even with their best faceoff man – Bozak – successful on just 33 percent of his.

Next game: Toronto will start their first-ever bye week on Sunday, with four days off and a practice day ahead before their tilt against the New York Rangers on Friday. It will be the Maple Leafs first look at Jimmy Vesey, who they courted over the summer as a potential free agent signing.

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TSN.CA / Canadiens top Maple Leafs for 13th straight time

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Brendan Shanahan was still a few months from being hired as team president the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens.

The Leafs losing streak against the Habs hit 13 games (0-9-4) at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night, lingering now for almost three years following the 5-3 decision.

Toronto last defeated its original-six rival on Jan. 18, 2014, a point when the organization had yet to undergo the major reconstruction which would begin with Shanahan's hiring and continue with the additions of head coach Mike Babcock, general manager Lou Lamoriello and a completely overhauled roster built around skilled youth.

Only six players remain from the last Leafs squad to top the Habs (five who played that night), including James van Riemsdyk, who scored in that 5-3 victory three years back and again in the most recent defeat, which also ended Toronto's seven-game point streak.

"They've got a pretty strong team and it's a rivalry game and for whatever reason, yeah it just seems to be going their way lately," van Riemsdyk said after the loss, which saw Carey Price shine with 33 saves for Montreal.

Other than van Riemsdyk, the only players still left with the Leafs are Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, Leo Komarov and Morgan Rielly.

Most of the organization has been turned over since then, much of that new talent on display against the Canadiens, including rookie Mitch Marner, who posted his third three assist-outing already this season.

Toronto's failing in the latest loss began with a wobbly start, one that saw the Canadiens strike twice in the opening four minutes, including Max Pacioretty's 19th this year (and fourth in the last three games) along with a shaky second goal from Artturi Lehkonen which snuck under Frederik Andersen's right arm.

The Leafs erased the two-goal deficit by scoring on consecutive power plays.

Bozak got the first on a fabulous set up by Marner, the Toronto area product dropping a no-look pass to his senior teammate as he slid through the slot. Kadri added the second late in the period, his third straight game with a goal and sixth in the past nine outings.

The Leafs couldn't make it into the intermission at par though, Habs rookie Nikita Scherbak scoring his first NHL goal in his first NHL game with 0.9 seconds left in the opening 20 minutes. A 21-year-old former first-round pick (2014), Scherbak was recalled after Brendan Gallagher broke his hand, the latest in a long line of Montreal injuries which currently includes Alex Galchenyuk, Andrei Markov, Andrew Shaw and David Desharnais.

"You've got to know the time on the clock, you can't give up that goal at the end," Babcock said.

The Habs would score again 36 seconds into the second frame, Alex Radulov potting the power-play marker.


Van Riemsdyk would bring the Leafs back to within one on another tremendous play by Marner. With puck in tow, the 19-year-old whirled through the entire Montreal zone before dishing off to van Riemsdyk on the door-step, the American winger promptly tapping in his 14th goal this year.

It was Marner's third assist on the night and 32nd point in 39 games this season. He trails only teammate Auston Matthews (35 points) and Winnipeg's Patrik Laine (37) in the NHL rookie scoring race.

"I think it's the guys I play with," said Marner, who leads the Leafs with 22 assists. "They get open for me and give me the puck and find space for me."

Michael McCarron drove the Habs' lead back to two in the opening minutes of the third, his shot from just above the goal line beating Andersen, who struggled to the tune of five goals on 31 shots.

Babcock said he thought the game was over after that fifth marker against Andersen, who was starting on consecutive nights for the third time season. He's yielded four goals or more in dropping two of those three outings.

"Now we still pushed and had lots of chances, but I thought the fifth one killed us for sure," Babcock said, the Leafs beginning their five-day bye week on Sunday.

Price shined in stopping 25-of-26 shots over the final two periods. He was bowled over at one point by Leafs rookie Zach Hyman, the hard drive to the net eliciting fiery reactions from Shea Weber and the Canadiens along with a two-minute penalty.

"I think the league's got to make sure that they protect the goalie," Habs coach Michel Therrien said after his 400th career win. "You can't let guys run the goalie like that."

Price was in the net the last time Toronto beat Montreal, opposed by Jonathan Bernier, who got the upper hand with 30 saves.

Beyond van Riemsdyk, the Leafs other goal-scorers that day included Phil Kessel, Cody Franson, Mason Raymond and Joffrey Lupul, all of whom are no longer with the team.

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Arizona Coyotes

Center Martin Hanzal and winger Jordan Martinook were sidelined with lower-body and upper-body injuries, respectively.

Center Laurent Dauphin drew in after getting recalled from the American Hockey League earlier in the day, but his addition gave the team only 11 forwards so defenseman Kevin Connauton skated on the fourth line as a right winger.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun also left the game in the third period with an upper-body injury after appearing to take an elbow up high from the Ducks’ Nick Ritchie, but he did play Saturday.

Center Alexander Burmistrov still hasn’t rejoined the team as he waits to secure a work visa.

Defenseman Anthony DeAngelo served the final game of his three-game suspension for physical abuse of officials Saturday.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins assigned forward Noel Acciari to Providence, a move that would open a roster spot for David Backes.

The Bruins recalled rookie goaltender Zane McIntyre to back up Tuukka Rask.

Buffalo Sabres

Defenseman Josh Gorges was a late scratch for the Sabres, deciding after warm-ups he could not play.

That put Taylor Fedun back in the lineup. He was scheduled to be a healthy scratch.

Calgary Flames

Friday’s healthy scratches for the Flames — RW Garnet Hathaway and D Jyrki Jokipakka — both returned to the lineup, with C/RW Freddie Hamilton and D Tyler Wotherspoon taking a seat in the press-box.

Carolina Hurricanes

Ty Rattie was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the Carolina Hurricanes. He was placed on the Canes’ top line Thursday, with Victor Rask and Jeff Skinner, and played against his former team in St. Louis.


Detroit Red Wings

Forward Tomas Jurco was the lone healthy scratch.

Justin Abelkader (sprained knee) said he might return to the lineup Tuesday in Chicago if all goes well in practice on Monday.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers lost Roberto Luongo to an undisclosed injury and Nick Bjugstad to a groin strain.

Others on the shelf include Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Alex Petrovic, and ex-Bruin Seth Griffith.

Montreal Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher is out at least eight weeks after surgery on his left hand and Paul Byron missed practice Friday with an upper-body injury. Nikita Scherbak is expected to make his NHL debut after being called up from St. John’s on Thursday along with Sven Andrighetto. Alex Galchenyuk (sprained knee) and Andrei Markov (groin) returned to practice Friday with no-contact jerseys.

Nashville Predators

The Predators are likely to be without electric defenseman P.K. Subban, who is recovering from an upper-body injury.

New Jersey Devils

Defenseman Yohann Auvitu limped to the bench and down the tunnel following his first shift in the first period. He was called up from Albany prior to the game with the team placing forward Jacob Josefson (illness) on injured reserve. Auvitu did not return to the game.

Defenseman and captain Andy Greene missed his second straight game after being hit by a puck on his left arm. Greene has also been ruled out of Monday's game against the Florida Panthers.

Devils scratches: Andy Greene (left arm), Seth Helgeson, Beau Bennett

New York Islanders

The Islanders had a couple of injury scares, with Brock Nelson and Travis Hamonic each missing time during the game with injuries, though both returned.

New York Rangers

Alain Vigneault said Mika Zibanejad, out since Nov. 20 with a broken fibula, could be cleared for full practice on Thursday when the Blueshirts reconvene following the bye week. It sounds as if he might be able to play soon thereafter.

Rick Nash, who missed his eighth straight game because of a groin issue, did not travel with Rangers. He will remain in New York and skate at the practice facility during the bye week. Barring a setback, Nash should be ready for Friday night’s match.

Marc Staal missed a second straight game with an unidentified upper body injury. Adam Clendening thus remained in the lineup, marking the first time since the season’s first five games the defenseman had played in consecutive matches.

Ottawa Senators

Right-winger Bobby Ryan was scratched. Senators coach Guy Boucher was coy when asked about Ryan’s absence, saying he was “very hopeful” he would be back in the lineup on Sunday when the Senators face Connor McDavid and the Oilers.


Philadelphia Flyers

German Rubtsov, whom the Flyers drafted in the first round in June , attended Saturday afternoon's game at the Wells Fargo Center and could be close to terminating his contract with the KHL.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said he did not know whether Rubtsov's deal was being terminated. The Flyers cannot sign Rubtsov to an entry-level contract while he is still under contract with the KHL. Rubtsov, Hextall said, was in Philadelphia to be evaluated by the team's doctors after the 18-year-old was hit in the nose with a stick during last week's World Junior Championship.

"It has nothing to do with the Philadelphia Flyers," Hextall said about Rubtsov's contract. "This is Chicoutimi and German, his agent, and Russia. We're really just a bystander here."

San Jose Sharks

Sharks notes: Mikkel Boedker draws back into the lineup and Micheal Haley will sit as the Sharks look to halt a three-game losing streak. Boedker was a healthy scratch for the first time this season Thursday. Patrick Marleau rejoined the first power play unit. Defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic (facial fractures) and David Schlemko (upper body) need more time to heal. Both were back on the ice again Saturday after the Sharks finished their morning skate. Martin Jones starts in goal.

St Louis Blues

Forward Dmitrij Jaskin was a healthy scratch Saturday and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning RW J.T. Brown left the game midway through the third period after taking a shoulder to the head on a hit by Flyers RW Wayne Simmonds.

Forwards Michael Bournival and Erik Condra, scratched by AHL Syracuse on Saturday, could be recalled.

D Braydon Coburn (upper body) did not play and was questionable for today. C Brian Boyle (lower body) missed his third straight and is out today. D Luke Witkowski, recalled Friday, played. D Slater Koekkoek was a healthy scratch.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Head coach Mike Babcock decided to scratch the hurting Nikita Soshnikov for Josh Leivo, but the coming break should see him return.

Washington Capitals

Capitals winger T.J. Oshie suffered an undisclosed “upper-body” injury against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. The Caps play at Montreal on Monday, and Oshie will be re-evaluated on Sunday.

With several players on the team battling flu-like symptoms and Oshie’s availability in question for Monday’s game, will Barry Trotz consider recalling another forward from the American Hockey League?

Winnipeg Jets

Patrik Laine had seemingly been knocked unconscious momentarily after a collision with Buffalo Sabres defenceman Jake McCabe of Saturday's game.

If it's a concussion, the severity of the injury or how long Laine could be out of the Jets' lineup might not be known for a few days at the very least.

Vancouver Canucks

Chris Tanev (back) and Ben Hutton (and) are injured.

NHL Daily Transactions

Arizona Coyotes Anthony DeAngelo Suspension Over

Arizona Coyotes Laurent Dauphin Called up from minors, from Tucson-AHL

Buffalo Sabres Alexander Nylander Sent to minors, Rochester-AHL

Florida Panthers Sam Brittain Called up from minors, from Manchester-ECHL

Florida Panthers Nick Bjugstad Placed on IR, Lower-body injury

Nashville Predators Frederick Gaudreau Called up from minors, from Milwaukee-AHL

New Jersey Devils Yohann Auvitu Called up from minors, from Albany-AHL

New York Rangers Nicklas Jensen Sent to minors, Hartford-AHL

San Jose Sharks Tim Heed Called up from minors, from San Jose-AHL

END

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