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TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay will officially turn over the starting goaltending reins to Andrei Vasilevskiy when the Lightning host the Ottawa Senators on Monday.
Vasilevskiy, the 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft, is expected to get the start after Tampa Bay dealt two-time Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that also included veteran goaltender Peter Budaj, who leads the NHL with seven shutouts, coming to the Lightning.
The game starts an important stretch for Tampa Bay if there is any hope of making up ground in the Eastern Conference standings as 13 of the final 22 games come against Atlantic Division opponents. But with the Lightning sitting seven points out of the final playoff spot, the trade deadline brings a bit of uneasiness.
“Everybody in the room is all-in on Tampa right now and we’ve shown it the past couple of weeks, Calgary (loss) notwithstanding,” said Lightning forward Brian Boyle, a pending UFA who has been the subject of trade rumors. “I think it was a tough time for that game, but you come and go and now this is a big game against Ottawa and if we win that game it goes a long way in our climb and puts us back in step two days before the deadline.
“Hopefully Wednesday comes and goes and we are talking about our final push and we can talk about that.”
But this is not a typical year for Tampa Bay, which appears to be in seller mode after the trade of Bishop, though head coach Jon Cooper does not like being categorized as being a buyer or a seller.
“I don’t believe in the buyer-seller thing, it’s team improvement,” Cooper said. “We kept this team together for a reason and unfortunately the trade deadline comes at Game No. 60 and we have only 22 left when we feel that ever since (the beginning of February) we’ve played pretty well. We just have to continue that. Unfortunately, there are only 22 left and not 42. We do like the way we’ve been playing.”
Ottawa, meanwhile, continues to find a way to pick up victories as the Senators try to chase down the Montreal Canadiens atop the Atlantic Division standings. Ottawa moved closer to that spot following a 2-1 victory at Florida on Sunday night.
“We had clearly a better start than the previous game,” defenseman Erik Karlsson told the Ottawa Sun. “We had a lot of adversity than the previous game but we stuck to it and we didn’t let it frustrate us too much. We did what we had to do for 60 minutes to be successful.”
Monday, February 27, 2017
Canadiens look to ignite offense vs. Devils
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Since Jan. 4, a span covering 24 games and two different head coaches, the up and down Montreal Canadiens are remarkably consistent in one area.
When the Canadiens score three goals or more, they win. When they score fewer than three, they lose.
That two-month trend will be put to the test again Monday night when the Canadiens (33-21-8) visit the Prudential Center to face off against the New Jersey Devils (25-25-11).
Beginning with a 4-3 road victory over the Dallas Stars on Jan. 4, the Canadiens have won all 10 games in which they scored at least three times. In that same span, Montreal is 0-12-2 in the 14 contests it has recorded two or fewer goals.
That has put a lot of extra pressure on the team’s defense and goaltending; and the Canadiens sub-.500 record in this stretch is proof of that wear and tear. Even Carey Price, the team’s heralded No. 1 netminder, has buckled a bit recently, though his 32-save performance in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs is the latest example that he is finding solid footing yet again.
“That’s the Carey Price we’ve got used to seeing, and it’s nice to see him back playing that same way,” head coach Claude Julien said to reporters after the win Saturday. “He’s given us a chance to win, and he’s also given us confidence because we know if there’s a breakdown, he’s making the save.”
Price has started all four games since Julien replaced Michel Therrien as Canadiens coach, allowing 10 goals. He was brilliant with a 28-save performance in Montreal’s 3-2 shootout road victory over the New York Rangers last week; and earned his 259th career win Saturday to pass Ken Dryden for third place on the Canadiens’ all-time victories list.
“Ken is the first Hab I met,” Price said to TSN 690. “I was around 8 … I met him in Williams Lake. I got his autograph on a piece of paper I still have today. He’s a very special human being.”
The Canadiens seek a season series sweep over the struggling Devils with a win Monday, following a 5-2 victory in Montreal on Dec. 8 and a 3-1 triumph Jan. 20 in New Jersey.
Having lost three in a row and four of their last five, the Devils are desperate for a victory of any kind.
They had a seemingly favorable schedule in the month of February, playing nine of 11 games on home ice.
New Jersey is just 3-4-1 so far this month at the Prudential Center, and, as such, its playoff prospects are remote at best sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
“Monday’s game is important, they’re all important for us to try and continue to play well and find a way to get points,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “We have a good team coming in Monday, so we have to be ready to play.”
New Jersey’s most recent loss was an extremely difficult one to stomach. The Devils erased a 2-0 deficit against the Rangers on Saturday, eventually taking a 3-2 lead early in the third period on a pair of Kyle Palmieri goals before seeing the Rangers rally to win the contest, 4-3, in overtime.
“We gave up the lead at the end, but there were some positives for sure,” said Palmieri, who leads New Jersey with 18 goals.
Hynes also praised the Devils’ effort Saturday, though veteran center Adam Henrique did say, “we have to find that killer instinct.”
Monday’s contest will be the last for the Devils before Wednesday’s trade deadline. The Canadiens will skate against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday ahead of the deadline.
Since Jan. 4, a span covering 24 games and two different head coaches, the up and down Montreal Canadiens are remarkably consistent in one area.
When the Canadiens score three goals or more, they win. When they score fewer than three, they lose.
That two-month trend will be put to the test again Monday night when the Canadiens (33-21-8) visit the Prudential Center to face off against the New Jersey Devils (25-25-11).
Beginning with a 4-3 road victory over the Dallas Stars on Jan. 4, the Canadiens have won all 10 games in which they scored at least three times. In that same span, Montreal is 0-12-2 in the 14 contests it has recorded two or fewer goals.
That has put a lot of extra pressure on the team’s defense and goaltending; and the Canadiens sub-.500 record in this stretch is proof of that wear and tear. Even Carey Price, the team’s heralded No. 1 netminder, has buckled a bit recently, though his 32-save performance in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs is the latest example that he is finding solid footing yet again.
“That’s the Carey Price we’ve got used to seeing, and it’s nice to see him back playing that same way,” head coach Claude Julien said to reporters after the win Saturday. “He’s given us a chance to win, and he’s also given us confidence because we know if there’s a breakdown, he’s making the save.”
Price has started all four games since Julien replaced Michel Therrien as Canadiens coach, allowing 10 goals. He was brilliant with a 28-save performance in Montreal’s 3-2 shootout road victory over the New York Rangers last week; and earned his 259th career win Saturday to pass Ken Dryden for third place on the Canadiens’ all-time victories list.
“Ken is the first Hab I met,” Price said to TSN 690. “I was around 8 … I met him in Williams Lake. I got his autograph on a piece of paper I still have today. He’s a very special human being.”
The Canadiens seek a season series sweep over the struggling Devils with a win Monday, following a 5-2 victory in Montreal on Dec. 8 and a 3-1 triumph Jan. 20 in New Jersey.
Having lost three in a row and four of their last five, the Devils are desperate for a victory of any kind.
They had a seemingly favorable schedule in the month of February, playing nine of 11 games on home ice.
New Jersey is just 3-4-1 so far this month at the Prudential Center, and, as such, its playoff prospects are remote at best sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
“Monday’s game is important, they’re all important for us to try and continue to play well and find a way to get points,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “We have a good team coming in Monday, so we have to be ready to play.”
New Jersey’s most recent loss was an extremely difficult one to stomach. The Devils erased a 2-0 deficit against the Rangers on Saturday, eventually taking a 3-2 lead early in the third period on a pair of Kyle Palmieri goals before seeing the Rangers rally to win the contest, 4-3, in overtime.
“We gave up the lead at the end, but there were some positives for sure,” said Palmieri, who leads New Jersey with 18 goals.
Hynes also praised the Devils’ effort Saturday, though veteran center Adam Henrique did say, “we have to find that killer instinct.”
Monday’s contest will be the last for the Devils before Wednesday’s trade deadline. The Canadiens will skate against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday ahead of the deadline.
Stars acquire Greg Pateryn, pick for Jordie Benn
The Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Greg Pateryn and Montreal's fourth-round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordie Benn on Monday.
Pateryn, 26, has recorded six points (1-5=6) in 24 games played this season for Montreal. He ranks eighth on the team with 43 blocked shots and has registered 44 hits.
In 82 games over parts of four seasons, all with Montreal, he has recorded 13 points (2-11=13), 194 hits and 114 blocked shots. He appeared in seven playoff contests in 2015, producing three assists.
"Greg is a solid defender and possesses a physical presence on the back-end," stated Stars general manager Jim Nill. "He brings size and another right shot into the mix for us."
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound native of Sterling Heights, Mich. was originally selected by Toronto in the fifth round (128th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.
Benn, 29, has produced 15 points (2-13=15) in 58 games played for Dallas this season. In parts of six NHL seasons, all with the Stars, he has recorded 71 points (11-60=71) in 302 regular season contests. He also recorded three assists (0-3=3) in seven playoff games.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Victoria, British Columbia was signed as a free agent by Dallas on July 1, 2011.
"We want to thank Jordie for all his contributions both on the ice, and in the community," said Nill. "We wish him all the best in his career going forward."
Sens goaltender Andrew Hammond out for rest of season
The Ottawa Senators announced today that goaltender Andrew Hammond suffered a torn labrun in his right hip, and will miss the remainder of the 2016-17 NHL season.
"After undergoing tests this week it was determined that goaltender Andrew Hammond has suffered a torn labrum in his right hip," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He is expected to undergo surgery in the near future to correct the injury.
This surgery will keep Andrew out for the remainder of the season and our doctors are estimating that his rehabilitation will allow him to begin skating in approximately 12 weeks."
Hammond is 0-2-2 this season with a .837 SV% and a 4.08 GAA.
Filip Forsberg leads 3 Stars of the Week
FIRST STAR - FILIP FORSBERG, LW, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Forsberg led all skaters in goals and points (8-2-10 in 4 GP), including back-to-back hat tricks, as the Predators gained seven of a possible eight standings points to improve their record to 31-22-9 (71 points), third in the Central Division. On Feb. 21, Forsberg recorded his third career hat trick in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames and followed it up with another three-goal performance, including the winning goal, in a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 23. In doing so, Forsberg became the first player in franchise history to record hat tricks in consecutive games and the first NHL player to achieve the feat since Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows on Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, 2010. Forsberg closed out the week with one goal and two assists in a 5-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals on Feb. 25 and one goal in a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 26. The 22-year-old Ostervala, Sweden, native leads the Predators in goals and sits second on the team in points with 24-22-46 in 62 games.
SECOND STAR - JONATHAN TOEWS, C, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Toews recorded multi-point efforts in each of the Blackhawks three games (4-5-9) as Chicago won all three contests to improve their overall record to 39-18-5 (83 points), second in the Central Division. On Feb. 21, Toews matched career highs for goals (3) and points (5) in a game, including the winning tally, in a 5-3 victory over the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild. The Blackhawks captain then notched two assists in a 6-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Feb. 23 before closing out the week with one goal and one assist in a 4-2 triumph over the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 26. The 28-year-old Winnipeg, Man., native is currently riding a six-game point streak (5-8-13).
THIRD STAR - JOHNNY GAUDREAU, LW, CALGARY FLAMES
Gaudreau recorded eight points (2-6-8) in four road victories to propel the Flames (33-26-4, 70 points) to the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference. He began the week with four assists in a 6-5 OT win over the Nashville Predators Feb. 21. On Feb. 23, he recorded one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning before being held off the scoresheet in a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Feb. 24. Gaudreau finished the week with two goals and one assist, including the winner, in a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 26. A 23-year-old native of Salem, N.J., Gaudreau sits second in Flames scoring with 43 points (13-30-43) in 53 games.
- NHL Public Relations
Brandon Manning of Flyers suspended two games
NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning has been suspended for two games, without pay, for interference against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel during NHL Game No. 908 in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Feb. 25, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 3:26 of the second period.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Manning will forfeit $10,833.34. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at 3:26 of the second period.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Manning will forfeit $10,833.34. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
News & Notes: Atkinson helps Blue Jackets reach third in division
CLUBS EMERGE OVER DIVISION RIVALS, IMPROVE PLAYOFF POSITIONING
The Columbus Blue Jackets (39-16-5, 83 points), Chicago Blackhawks (39-18-5, 83 points) and Ottawa Senators (33-21-6, 72 points) each earned wins against division rivals to improve their Stanley Cup Playoff positioning:
* Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg each scored twice as the Blue Jackets defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 and improved to 4-1-0 in their past five games. Atkinson leads the Blue Jackets with 29-24-53 this season and passed his NHL career high of 27 goals from 2015-16. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for his 32nd win of 2016-17 (32-13-3 in 48 GP) to move back into a share of the NHL lead and match his single-season NHL career high from 2013-14 (32-20-5 in 58 GP). The Blue Jackets leapfrogged the Rangers (40-20-2, 82 points) to move into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
* Artem Anisimov scored the go-ahead goal with 5:20 remaining in the third period to power the Blackhawks to 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues. They're 9-1-0 in their past 10 games, including four consecutive wins. Anisimov scored his 22nd goal of 2016-17 (58 GP) to match his single-season NHL career high from 2013-14 (81 GP w/ CBJ). The Blackhawks climbed within a point of the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild (39-14-6, 84 points) for first place in the Central Division.
* Craig Anderson made 37 saves to backstop the Senators to a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers. Zack Smith opened the scoring with his eighth shorthanded goal since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, the most by any NHL player during that span. The Senators maintain a two-point edge on the Boston Bruins (32-24-6, 70 points) for second place in the Atlantic Division and climbed within two points of the Montreal Canadiens (33-21-8, 74 points) for first.
SUNDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Boston 6, DALLAS 3
Calgary 3, CAROLINA 1
NASHVILLE 5, Edmonton 4
Columbus 5, NY RANGERS 2
CHICAGO 4, St. Louis 2
Ottawa 2, FLORIDA 1
ARIZONA 3, Buffalo 2
FORSBERG SCORES FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE GAME
Filip Forsberg scored for the fourth consecutive game to help the Nashville Predators extend their point streak to five games (4-0-1), including three consecutive wins.
* Forsberg, who has scored eight times during the four-game run, including a pair of hat tricks, became the first Predators player to score eight goals in a span of four consecutive team games and the first on any team to do so since the San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau from Jan. 20-26, 2013 (8-3-11), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
* At 31-22-9 (71 points), the Predators increased their lead to four points on the Blues (31-25-5, 67 points) for third place in the Central Division.
BRUINS CONTINUE SUCCESS UNDER BRUCE CASSIDY
Patrice Bergeron (2-1-3), Brad Marchand (1-2-3) and Torey Krug (0-3-3) combined for 3-6-9 to help the Bruins improve to 6-1-0 under coach Bruce Cassidy.
* At 32-24-6 (70 points), the Bruins leapfrogged the idle Toronto Maple Leafs (28-20-13, 69 points) and moved into third place in the Atlantic Division.
* Marchand, who has registered 17-16-33 in 23 games since Jan. 1 and leads the NHL in goals during that span, ranks fifth in the League with 64 points (27-37-64 in 62 GP).
LOOSE PUCKS
Johnny Gaudreau (2-1-3) factored on all three goals as the Calgary Flames extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1), including four consecutive wins. … The Arizona Coyotes overcame a 2-0 deficit and Radim Vrbata (1-1-2) scored the go-ahead goal with 18.9 seconds remaining in regulation en route to a 3-2 win. Vrbata extended his NHL career-high point streak to nine games (4-7-11) and reached the 600 points in the NHL (274-326-600). … Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (0-1-1) reached the 500-point milestone (89-411-500). … Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (1-1-2) became the first player with 70 points this season (21-50-71). … Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (5-8-13 in 6 GP), Blackhawks forward Richard Panik (4-5-9 in 6 GP), Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel (1-6-7 in 6 GP) and Predators defenseman Roman Josi (2-6-8 in 5 GP) each extended point streaks. … The Tampa Bay Lightning traded goaltender Ben Bishop and a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Peter Budaj, defenseman Erik Cernak, a seventh-round pick in 2017 and a conditional pick in the 2017 draft. … The Wild acquired center Martin Hanzal, center Ryan White and a fourth-round pick in 2017 from the Coyotes for a first-round pick in 2017, a second-round pick in 2018, a conditional pick in 2019 and forward Grayson Downing. … Veteran play-by-play commentator Dave Strader returned to NHL on NBC to call the NHL Game of the Week between the Bruins and Stars. … Former Bruins and Stars forward Rich Peverley was honored in a pre-game ceremony at American Airlines Center. … The Predators hosted their second Hockey Fights Cancer night of the season at Bridgestone Arena. … The Coyotes honored hockey pioneer Willie O'Ree in a pre-game ceremony as part of their Hockey Is For Everyone night. … Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety today for interference against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.
SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Montreal @ New Jersey, 7 p.m., MSG+, SNE, RDS, NHL.TV
Ottawa @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., SUN, RDS2, TSN5, NHL.TV
Los Angeles @ Minnesota, 8 p.m., TVA Sports, NBCSN, NHL.TV
KINGS, WILD CLASH IN MINNESOTA
The Kings (30-27-4, 64 points) pay a visit to the Western Conference-leading Wild (39-14-6, 84 points) at Xcel Energy Center on NBCSN. The Kings are three points behind the Blues (31-25-5, 67 points) for the final wild card in the Western Conference, while the Wild aim to reach the 40-win mark in their 60th game, 11 games fewer than any other season in the franchise's 17-year history (71 GP in 2006-07: 40-24-7, 87 points).
- NHL Public Relations
The Columbus Blue Jackets (39-16-5, 83 points), Chicago Blackhawks (39-18-5, 83 points) and Ottawa Senators (33-21-6, 72 points) each earned wins against division rivals to improve their Stanley Cup Playoff positioning:
* Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg each scored twice as the Blue Jackets defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 and improved to 4-1-0 in their past five games. Atkinson leads the Blue Jackets with 29-24-53 this season and passed his NHL career high of 27 goals from 2015-16. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for his 32nd win of 2016-17 (32-13-3 in 48 GP) to move back into a share of the NHL lead and match his single-season NHL career high from 2013-14 (32-20-5 in 58 GP). The Blue Jackets leapfrogged the Rangers (40-20-2, 82 points) to move into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
* Artem Anisimov scored the go-ahead goal with 5:20 remaining in the third period to power the Blackhawks to 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues. They're 9-1-0 in their past 10 games, including four consecutive wins. Anisimov scored his 22nd goal of 2016-17 (58 GP) to match his single-season NHL career high from 2013-14 (81 GP w/ CBJ). The Blackhawks climbed within a point of the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild (39-14-6, 84 points) for first place in the Central Division.
* Craig Anderson made 37 saves to backstop the Senators to a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers. Zack Smith opened the scoring with his eighth shorthanded goal since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, the most by any NHL player during that span. The Senators maintain a two-point edge on the Boston Bruins (32-24-6, 70 points) for second place in the Atlantic Division and climbed within two points of the Montreal Canadiens (33-21-8, 74 points) for first.
SUNDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Boston 6, DALLAS 3
Calgary 3, CAROLINA 1
NASHVILLE 5, Edmonton 4
Columbus 5, NY RANGERS 2
CHICAGO 4, St. Louis 2
Ottawa 2, FLORIDA 1
ARIZONA 3, Buffalo 2
FORSBERG SCORES FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE GAME
Filip Forsberg scored for the fourth consecutive game to help the Nashville Predators extend their point streak to five games (4-0-1), including three consecutive wins.
* Forsberg, who has scored eight times during the four-game run, including a pair of hat tricks, became the first Predators player to score eight goals in a span of four consecutive team games and the first on any team to do so since the San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau from Jan. 20-26, 2013 (8-3-11), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
* At 31-22-9 (71 points), the Predators increased their lead to four points on the Blues (31-25-5, 67 points) for third place in the Central Division.
BRUINS CONTINUE SUCCESS UNDER BRUCE CASSIDY
Patrice Bergeron (2-1-3), Brad Marchand (1-2-3) and Torey Krug (0-3-3) combined for 3-6-9 to help the Bruins improve to 6-1-0 under coach Bruce Cassidy.
* At 32-24-6 (70 points), the Bruins leapfrogged the idle Toronto Maple Leafs (28-20-13, 69 points) and moved into third place in the Atlantic Division.
* Marchand, who has registered 17-16-33 in 23 games since Jan. 1 and leads the NHL in goals during that span, ranks fifth in the League with 64 points (27-37-64 in 62 GP).
LOOSE PUCKS
Johnny Gaudreau (2-1-3) factored on all three goals as the Calgary Flames extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1), including four consecutive wins. … The Arizona Coyotes overcame a 2-0 deficit and Radim Vrbata (1-1-2) scored the go-ahead goal with 18.9 seconds remaining in regulation en route to a 3-2 win. Vrbata extended his NHL career-high point streak to nine games (4-7-11) and reached the 600 points in the NHL (274-326-600). … Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (0-1-1) reached the 500-point milestone (89-411-500). … Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (1-1-2) became the first player with 70 points this season (21-50-71). … Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (5-8-13 in 6 GP), Blackhawks forward Richard Panik (4-5-9 in 6 GP), Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel (1-6-7 in 6 GP) and Predators defenseman Roman Josi (2-6-8 in 5 GP) each extended point streaks. … The Tampa Bay Lightning traded goaltender Ben Bishop and a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Peter Budaj, defenseman Erik Cernak, a seventh-round pick in 2017 and a conditional pick in the 2017 draft. … The Wild acquired center Martin Hanzal, center Ryan White and a fourth-round pick in 2017 from the Coyotes for a first-round pick in 2017, a second-round pick in 2018, a conditional pick in 2019 and forward Grayson Downing. … Veteran play-by-play commentator Dave Strader returned to NHL on NBC to call the NHL Game of the Week between the Bruins and Stars. … Former Bruins and Stars forward Rich Peverley was honored in a pre-game ceremony at American Airlines Center. … The Predators hosted their second Hockey Fights Cancer night of the season at Bridgestone Arena. … The Coyotes honored hockey pioneer Willie O'Ree in a pre-game ceremony as part of their Hockey Is For Everyone night. … Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety today for interference against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.
SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Montreal @ New Jersey, 7 p.m., MSG+, SNE, RDS, NHL.TV
Ottawa @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., SUN, RDS2, TSN5, NHL.TV
Los Angeles @ Minnesota, 8 p.m., TVA Sports, NBCSN, NHL.TV
KINGS, WILD CLASH IN MINNESOTA
The Kings (30-27-4, 64 points) pay a visit to the Western Conference-leading Wild (39-14-6, 84 points) at Xcel Energy Center on NBCSN. The Kings are three points behind the Blues (31-25-5, 67 points) for the final wild card in the Western Conference, while the Wild aim to reach the 40-win mark in their 60th game, 11 games fewer than any other season in the franchise's 17-year history (71 GP in 2006-07: 40-24-7, 87 points).
- NHL Public Relations
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