Erik Gudbranson might be staying in Vancouver after all, as Canucks general manager Jim Benning said he'd like to sign the defenseman to an extension instead of trading him at the deadline, reports Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre.

As a right shot, pending unrestricted free agent blue-liner, Gudbranson's name has been linked in trade talks throughout the season, but Benning believes he's still of use to the rebuilding Canucks.

"He's a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who helps us," Benning said. "We have other defenseman who are more puck-moving guys, but we don't have anyone else with Gudbranson's style of play."

Gudbranson has only appeared in 32 games this season, averaging 17:44 per contest. The 26-year-old has produced one goal and two assists and owns a team-worst 42.81 Corsi-for percentage.

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The Colorado Avalanche will get a significant boost to their blue line Tuesday.

Defenseman Tyson Barrie will return to the lineup when the Avalanche take on the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced. Barrie has been sidelined since Dec. 23 when he suffered a fractured hand while blocking a shot against the Arizona Coyotes.

Despite missing the last 13 games, Barrie remains the club's most productive blue-liner, having put up 27 points in 34 games.

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Tom Dundon is looking to create a playoff atmosphere at PNC Arena.

The new owner of the Carolina Hurricanes is hoping to make a splash with his new franchise and on Tuesday he will make his first big move. In an attempt to create a louder environment and potentially give his club a home-ice advantage, Dundon has implemented a plan to have all ticket holders from the upper deck move to seats in the lower bowl, and even the suites, to bring the crowd closer to the ice.

"I want the lower bowl to be energetic and packed," Dundon said, according to Chip Alexander of The News Observer. "It’s obvious it's sort of a playoff push now.

"We're going to let the people who want to come down and get a better experience (come). I think we're going to run out of tickets so we're going to have to open up suites … to make sure we take care of as many people as we can."

The Hurricanes, who sit four points out of a playoff spot, currently average 12,936 fans per game - the second-fewest in the league - but that number equates to just 69.3 percent capacity, which ranks last among all 31 clubs.

"I think it would be awesome if there’s nobody up there but it might end up there's a few because people have their preferences," Dundon said. "I'm hoping they all want to come down and get it closer and make it louder. That's the goal, to make this more the playoff-type environment."

Dundon also noted that, depending on how Tuesday's plan goes, the ticket strategy could be implemented in future home games.

Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators will see the club honor members of their 20th Anniversary Team. And, on top of that and the improved seating, fans will also enjoy deals at the concession stand.

It's a good night to be a Hurricanes fan.

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Bruce Boudreau is a little upset.

The Minnesota Wild bench boss is taking umbrage that Columbus Blue Jackets blue-liner Seth Jones will not miss Tuesday's game between the two sides despite skipping out on All-Star festivities because of the flu.

"I think it's ridiculous," Boudreau told Blue Jackets team reporter Brian Hedger. "It's wrong, and I don't know how it can be justified ... (There's) now a gray area in this rule forever and ever."

The league mandates that players who skip the game through injury must also miss one regular-season contest, on either side of the weekend.

The Los Angeles Kings, for instance, must scratch Jonathan Quick on Tuesday, after he withdrew from the All-Star weekend to rest a nagging injury.

Jones technically didn't miss the All-Star Game due to an injury, and it was the league who decided that he not come to the All-Star Game in fear of a possible flu outbreak, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

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Whether Cam Talbot meant for it to come across that way or not, he provided the hockey world with one of the hottest takes of the season on Monday.

The Edmonton Oilers netminder went on record saying his struggling team is going to make the playoffs.

"We're going to play like our lives are on the line every single night," he said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "Until eight teams have an 'X' beside their name, we're not out of it. That's how we have to approach it."

Of course, any fan would would hope players of their respective team aren't going to wallow in pity and tell the public: "There's no hope in hell we're going to make the playoffs."

However, with the Oilers sitting 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the fact of the matter is that in order for Talbot's premonition to come true, things have to go well for the Oilers - like, extremely.

Looking back on last season, the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames tied for the final wild-card spot with 94 points each - with the Flames slotting ahead of the Predators.

The Oilers currently have 47 points from 49 games. If the 94-point plateau holds up again this season, they would need another 47 from just 33 remaining matchups.

To put that into perspective, the team would need to go on a stretch equivalent to 20-6-7, or a 116-point pace over 82 games, the same rate at which the Vegas Golden Knights are going this season.

Now, if that seems like a pipe dream, things are about to get a whole lot worse as several teams vying for that final playoff spot are on pace to finish with more than 94 points.

So, if these four teams currently slotted ahead of the Oilers maintain their current pace, Edmonton will need to tally 50 points in its final 33 games to slide into the final playoff spot.

That's a record equivalent to 22-5-6. For context, the Oilers have just 22 wins in 49 games this season. It's also worth noting a record such as this averaged over 82 games would be 124 points, more than any team is on pace for this season, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are set for 118 points at their current rate.

If things weren't tough enough for the Oilers, their remaining schedule won't do them any favors. They will play the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks three times each - teams the Oilers are chasing, leaving no room to falter.

On top of that, they also play the Lightning and the Golden Knights twice each for good measure.

Talbot claiming the team will make the playoffs is a great rallying cry for a club that has had very little to celebrate this season. However, the Oilers will likely need to go on a streak of epic proportions to make that happen, and with all things considered, it's hard to envision a scenario where everything falls into place so perfectly.

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Sebastian Aho has made a speedy recovery.

The Carolina Hurricanes wing will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, just four games after the club ruled him out indefinitely.

Aho was sidelined with a concussion and what the Hurricanes described as a lower-body injury after a hit by Calgary Flames blue-liner Mark Giordano.

Sitting first in team scoring with 37 points at the time of his injury, Aho now trails only Teuvo Teravainen for the top spot.

Aho's return is critical for Carolina, as the Hurricanes sit four points back of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

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Matt Murray is back.

The Pittsburgh Penguins netminder will return to the crease Tuesday versus the San Jose Sharks following a six-game absence due to the death of his father.

Related: Murray thanks Penguins, fans for support following father's death

Murray was back in the lineup Jan. 25, but watched from the bench as Casey DeSmith backstopped the Penguins to a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner owns a 15-12-1 record and .903 save percentage across 31 contests this season.

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Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky will be in the lineup Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, head coach John Tortorella said per Steve Gorten of The Columbus Dispatch.

Dubinsky has been out since Dec. 12 when he suffered a fractured orbital bone in a fight with Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian.

It was reported last week that the 31-year-old was sent home from the club's road trip following their 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights for what was deemed personal issues that might put his playing career in jeopardy.

Dubinsky spoke to reporters Monday, but was vague when describing the circumstances surrounding his personal leave, stating: "We have stuff that is private to us and we want to keep that way. So that’s just the way it’s going to be."

In 31 games this season, Dubinsky has three goals and 12 assists.

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Shannon Szabados is on the precipice of immortality.

Szabados enters PyeongChang 2018 with the chance to capture her third consecutive gold medal, leading Canada into battle against a series of opponents who are looking to dethrone hockey's juggernaut.

Ahead of the upcoming tournament, theScore's Arun Srinivasan caught up with Szabados and spoke to her about her leadership role with the team, along with the opportunity to become one of the greatest goalies of all time.

Srinivasan: You're entering your third Olympics for Canada, are there any unique challenges you anticipate while trying to secure your third consecutive gold medal?

Szabados: No, I don't really expect anything different than the other two times. I think this being my third time, it's probably a little easier on me, a little less stressful just because I know what to expect as far as getting over there, the village, kind of what the set up is going to be like, stuff like that. Looking forward to it, don't foresee anything too crazy that I haven't seen before.

Srinivasan: In what ways, if any, has the U.S-Canada rivalry evolved since you made your debut?

Szabados: I mean, it was pretty heated when I first came into the program. I think for me personally, for us as a team as well, we love playing against them. Obviously, they're a good team. We played them quite a few times this year which I think fuels that rivalry a bit when you play someone so many times. Like I mentioned, they're a great team and neither one of us likes losing so that kind of adds to the fire as well.

It's been a great series playing against them this year and every time we get a chance to play them we want to put our best foot forward and give our best performance.

Srinivasan: You mentioned the familiarity with the U.S. Is there anything you're keeping an eye on specifically from them?

Szabados: Yes and no. I mean, I think each team has their own identity, they play a little different style than say, Finland or Russia. There's little things within the game but kind of at the same time, especially as a goalie, it's about reading and reacting. Not looking too much into how the other teams are playing, or what to look for. Just kind of stick to our gameplan.

Srinivasan: You were one of the top two goaltenders in the last two Olympics. Have you considered what another strong tournament and gold medal would mean for your legacy as one of the best goalies of all time?

Szabados: No, I haven't really thought about that (laughs). I mean, I don't even know what our schedule is next week so it's way too far to look ahead. I'm not too worried how it would look on me or anything. If I get the opportunity to play, obviously I would like to play well for the girls and bring home another gold, but just kind of taking it day by day right now and worrying about each and every time I step on the ice giving my best performance.

Srinivasan: I know you haven't participated in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, but do you feel the league has elevated the profile of women's hockey? Also, have you considered a move to the league?

Szabados: Yeah, I think it's definitely helped propel women's hockey. Obviously, there's a ton of great players playing in the league. I would think somewhere close to 90 percent of our team plays there. It's great to see women's hockey growing, it's great to see the two new China teams in the league expanding. Whether you're on social media or on TV, it always seems to be highlights of the CWHL which is great to see.

Who knows? Maybe down the road that'll be one of my future teams. I don't know. Again, like I said, I don't even know what I'm doing next week but it's definitely something I would consider.

Srinivasan: This is a pretty experienced group and you would be one of the leaders of the team this year. Is there any wisdom or experience you're trying to impart on the team as you get ready for the tournament?

Szabados: Yes and no. I think being one of the players that's been through it before, maybe just help with some guidance on what they can expect when it comes to the village or the living situation or what it's kind of going to be like over there. This centralized year for us, it's helped us but it's quite the grind. You know, a player like Ann-Renee (Desbiens), it's her first Olympic cycle so just making sure she's comfortable and ready and that everyone can focus more on the on-ice performance. I guess that would be my biggest role this year, making sure everyone's ready to go.

Srinivasan: Are there any players that we as a country, or across the world, should know about? Should we anticipate a breakout star from Canada or other countries this tournament?

Szabados: I think what you'll find with this team is we have a lot of depth. We have superstars like (Marie-Philip) Poulin and some standouts but I think just overall, no one really jumps out. We're so strong from No. 1 to our last ...

I mean, I say that we have three-four lines, but realistically we have an entire team that can roll. Same on the back end. (Laura) Fortino, I think, has a ton of skill and then, one of my favorite players is Jocelyne Larocque. Steady, stay at home D-man who probably doesn't get the recognition she deserves.

Srinivasan: Vancouver must've been special, 2014 must've been special as well. I guess every Olympics is different in its own way. What does this specific tournament mean to you from a career and personal standpoint?

Szabados: It's special. Obviously, like you said, Vancouver was pretty amazing with it being my first Olympics and being in Canada. Sochi was unbelievable. I'm getting a little older now so I'm not going to say it's my last one, but if it is, if it happened to be, then obviously I want to take the time to enjoy it and make sure I leave it all out there. In four years from now, if I decide to come back, we'll do it all over again. Each one is kind of special in its own way.

Srinivasan: Do you have a message for young women or anyone that looks up to you and the women's national team?

Szabados: Just maybe, thanks for the support along the way. For all the little kids watching - boys or girls - just kind of take it all in. If that's something that you dream of, then work hard and have fun and one day you can be in my skates.

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