After scoring just three times with the man advantage in their last 17 games, the Maple Leafs matched that total in under two minutes against the Colorado Avalanche.
Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney insists he isn't going to alter his strategy ahead of the trade deadline despite the injury to David Pastrnak.
"It doesn’t change my approach at all," Sweeney told reporters Tuesday after revealing that his star winger will be out at least two weeks following thumb surgery.
"I’ve been (making) calls for a month now, at least, if not longer, in terms of throughout the year, but specifically in the last month trying to identify teams (that may be trade partners)," Sweeney explained. "You can imagine the jockeying going on everywhere (with) all the teams that are in (the playoff picture), so some teams don’t know. They’ll take it right to the deadline."
"That may happen," he added. "We’ve been looking to do something, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”
The Bruins were eyeing forward depth even before Pastrnak's injury. Last month, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Boston was one of multiple teams interested in Carolina Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland, who's a pending unrestricted free agent.
Boston entered Tuesday's action sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division. The trade deadline is Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. ET.
Like Panarin, Duchene is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Panarin has already stated he wants to test free agency, but Duchene has not publicly expressed the same desire. If the Blue Jackets were to trade for Duchene, they would have four months to re-sign him before he hits the open market.
Along with youngster Pierre-Luc Dubois, Duchene would give Columbus a lethal one-two punch down the middle of the ice - something the franchise has never had in its existence.
Duchene is in the midst of a career year with the basement-dwelling Senators, collecting 25 goals and 53 points in 46 games.
The Blue Jackets entered Tuesday sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 65 points.
Malkin was assessed a match penalty after swinging his stick at Raffl's head with under five minutes remaining in the third period of Monday night's game.
The league acknowledged Malkin was retaliating after Raffl punched him in the back of the head but stated he swung his stick "at a dangerous height."
Malkin said earlier Tuesday he didn't expect to be suspended because "it's not like I broke his face."
While the NHL said it understood his point, it explained that his reasoning doesn't excuse his actions, adding stick infractions don't require contact to warrant discipline.
The Penguins superstar will miss Wednesday's contest against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite recording just three wins in their last 10 games, the Edmonton Oilers aren't ruling themselves out of the playoff picture.
The club has fallen to 13th place in the Western Conference but remains just six points out of the final wild-card spot. The tight playoff race has interim general manager Keith Gretzky hopeful the team will be in a position to add ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline.
"Hopefully, we're buying," Gretzky said, according to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic. "We're six points out with a game in hand. We're not out of it. But in a (couple) weeks, we'll see where we're at."
The Oilers play six games before the deadline, including a three-game Eastern Conference road trip starting Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Gretzky insists he won't sacrifice the team's farm system to pursue outside talent.
"We've gotta make some changes, of course," said Gretzky. "You can't say that we're the perfect team with our record. We're trying to improve it, but we're not gonna sell the farm and get a quick fix. It's gonna take a bit."
The Oilers are at risk of missing the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 years and for the second straight season since reaching the second round in 2017.
The Carolina Hurricanes have lacked a game-changer at center ever since Eric Staal's heyday, but it appears that player is here. With 24 goals and 39 assists through 56 games this season, Sebastian Aho is thriving as Carolina's No. 1 center after moving from the wing in December following Jordan Staal's injury.
So, what makes Aho so dynamic? Let's study the film.
Skating
We'll begin with Aho’s skating, because here’s the thing - it's amazing. Take this example from Carolina's matchup with Vegas on Feb. 1, in which Aho absolutely embarrasses defenseman Deryk Engelland. After carrying the puck around the perimeter of the offensive zone, Aho comes down the left side and Engelland thinks the shooting lane is cut off. Oops ...
Courtesy: NHL
As seen above, Aho stops on a dime and immediately wheels backward out of Engelland’s path, sliding over to the right and opening up a shooting lane as the defender falls to the ice. The move requires serious agility and balance, which Aho displays while controlling the puck with his backhand. It's even more impressive from this angle:
Aho uses his dynamic skating to create scoring opportunities for himself, which are necessary on a Hurricanes team that's middle of the pack when it comes to lighting the lamp. In fact, no other player on the roster has exceeded 15 goals this season, so Aho's production has been vital following the trade of Jeff Skinner in the summer.
On Jan. 13, Aho recorded a hat trick against Nashville, with the first goal coming on a breakaway. As seen below, Aho receives the puck and takes off, showcasing the top speed that burns so many opposing defenders. He handles the puck deftly at that speed, too, and then slips it past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, making it look easy:
Courtesy: NHL
Playmaking/Vision
This next sequence - which leads to Aho's second goal against Nashville - features his ability to read the ice and project how a play will unfold. It's just Aho's third NHL season, but the 21-year-old already possesses incredible hockey IQ, allowing him to slow the game down, read his options, and make the best choice.
Here, Aho begins with the puck and makes a pair of passes along the right side of the offensive zone. As the play continues on the other side of the net, he finds open space closer to the crease and gets ready to receive a pass before one-timing a shot past Rinne.
Courtesy: NHL
Next, we have an example of Aho's patience and hockey sense, which lead to a goal against the Vancouver Canucks. The play begins with teammate Nino Niederreiter in a board battle, while Aho skates by the scrum at the perfect time to grab the puck and give Carolina control in the offensive zone. Aho then skates below the goal line, keeps his head up, and holds the puck until Niederreiter's ready to receive a pass in good position.
At that point, Aho passes, Nino shoots, and the Hurricanes score:
Courtesy: NHL
Defensive zone
In Staal’s absence, Aho has matched up with some of the league's top players at both ends of the ice, and he's handling his own zone like a seasoned pro. Here, we have a tiny moment against Vancouver, during which Aho shows vision in his own end by grabbing the puck and neatly sweeping it away from danger with an offensive player closing in:
Courtesy: NHL
It's a small play in the grand scheme of things, but it's a good example of Aho's hockey sense allowing him to track a play, put himself in the right place at the right time, and act quickly to limit opposing opportunities.
After playing in his first career All-Star Game last month, it would be no surprise if Aho's improving skill set leads to more appearances in the future, and to the No. 1 center job in Carolina for years to come.
Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak underwent surgery on his left thumb and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, general manager Don Sweeney announced Tuesday.
Pastrnak was injured Sunday night after falling while leaving a sponsorship dinner, Sweeney added. He's expected to play again this season.
Boston sits third in the Atlantic Division with 70 points - one point back of the Toronto Maple Leafs and one point clear of the Montreal Canadiens. Pastrnak's recovery timeline leaves the Bruins without their leading scorer at least until the trade deadline, but his absence won't change the club's approach leading up to the big day, Sweeney said.
Pastrnak, 22, has been dynamite for the Bruins this season. He ranks seventh in the NHL with 66 points in 56 games and second among all players with 29 power-play points.
This season, the NHL trade deadline comes with added anticipation north of the border. Three Canadian teams are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, a pair of squads are exceeding expectations despite intending to rebuild, and two organizations are at rock bottom with an eye toward the future.
With all that in mind, here's how each Canadian club should approach the Feb. 25 deadline:
Calgary Flames
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Points: 74 (2nd in Pacific) Games remaining: 27 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $1.5M
Flames general manager Brad Treliving should look for a right winger to play alongside Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk on the second line. Michael Frolik has regularly held that role, but he's also been a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, signaling a clear lack of trust from head coach Bill Peters.
Acquiring a high-end rental would be challenging given Calgary's lack of cap space, but Wayne Simmonds ($3.975M), Gustav Nyquist ($4.75M), or Mats Zuccarello ($4.5M) could fit into the picture with a contract like Frolik or Michael Stone heading the other way.
It's not a necessity, but the Flames could also look into adding a veteran depth blue-liner at a minimal cost in case one of their young bottom-pairing defensemen struggles down the stretch.
Edmonton Oilers
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Points: 53 (6 points back of playoffs) Games remaining: 27 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $51,371
The Oilers need to look toward next season. Even if they somehow squeak into the playoffs as a wild-card team, they'll get stomped by one of the beasts atop the Central or Pacific.
Unfortunately, Edmonton doesn't have many appealing rentals it can dangle in trade talks. But in the midst of a career year, perhaps winger Alex Chiasson - with his affordable $650,000 contract and 17 goals this season - could return a mid-round draft pick or a half-decent prospect.
Goaltender Cam Talbot is a different story. No playoff team will trade for him as their starter, and he makes too much ($4.167M) to be a backup. The Oilers would likely have to eat a chunk of his remaining salary in order to get a late-round draft pick or a fringe prospect in return.
Realistically, overhauling the bottom half of this roster while trying to move out an expensive long-term contract or two is a mess that will need to be cleaned up in the offseason.
Montreal Canadiens
Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / Getty
Points: 69 (4th in Atlantic) Games remaining: 26 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $8.8M
The Canadiens are one of the most surprising teams in the NHL this season. This was originally viewed as a rebuilding year, but they're primed for a postseason appearance.
General manager Marc Bergevin said on Jan. 7 that he won't be looking for a rental player, and even though the Habs have played well over the past month, that philosophy shouldn't change - unless it comes at a minimal cost.
This doesn't mean the Habs should sell, though. Instead, Bergevin could look to use the cap space at his disposal by acquiring players signed beyond this season. Standing pat wouldn't be the worst thing, either. This season has already been a step in the right direction, and Montreal could be a big player in free agency this summer.
Ottawa Senators
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Points: 47 (last in NHL) Games remaining: 27 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $7.2M
The Senators should continue trying to re-sign pending unrestricted free agents Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingel, but those players must be traded if they don't ink new deals by Feb. 25. Doing so would mean more short-term pain, but Ottawa simply can't afford to risk losing valuable assets for nothing.
The Sens don't own their 2019 first-rounder - a potential lottery pick - due to the Duchene trade last season. So, if they can acquire multiple early-round draft picks and coveted prospects in exchange for the aforementioned trio, it would help speed up the rebuild.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Points: 71 (2nd in Atlantic) Games remaining: 27 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $4.3M
The Maple Leafs still have cap space this season after acquiring Jake Muzzin, but Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are set to earn a combined $3.7 million in bonuses that count against the ledger. Those can be deferred to next season, but the cap situation will be even tighter.
On the back end, Nikita Zaitsev ($4.5M annually through 2023-24) is a liability on the ice and a contractual headache. The Leafs would be wise to try upgrading the second defensive pairing, but that would require Zaitsev to be shipped out - likely in a separate trade. Still, even if it requires including a draft pick or a prospect to get rid of Zaitsev, the Leafs should pull the trigger if they have a better player lined up.
Toronto doesn't need help up front, but it could stand to add an affordable forward who can provide a physical presence. Carolina's Micheal Ferland ($1.75M) could fit if the asking price is right. Meanwhile, Connor Brown ($2.1M through 2019-20) might have to be moved in the coming offseason due to cap constraints, so he could be used as trade bait to find a short-term upgrade at the deadline.
Vancouver Canucks
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
Points: 57 (2 points back of playoffs) Games remaining: 25 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $9.2M
The Canucks weren't expected to compete this year, but they're right in the thick of the playoff hunt. Still, Vancouver shouldn't go for it at the deadline, as the team is still a year or two away from being a legitimate contender.
The Canucks don't have many rentals they could sell, but if defenseman Alex Edler is willing to waive his no-trade clause when he returns from injury, general manager Jim Benning should trade him to a contender. Edler's been with Vancouver his entire career, and would likely be willing to rejoin the club in free agency after his contract expires this offseason.
Winnipeg Jets
Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Points: 73 (1st in Central) Games remaining: 26 Projected remaining 2018-19 cap space: $5.7M
With ample cap space this season, the Jets are perfectly positioned to acquire a big-name rental ahead of the deadline. However, the cap sheet will be tighter in 2019-20, when Blake Wheeler's extension kicks in and Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Jacob Trouba all become restricted free agents.
Matt Duchene would be an ideal addition. Stanley Cup winners are typically strong down the middle, and Duchene would give the Jets a lethal one-two punch at center behind Mark Scheifele, with Bryan Little sliding down to a third-line role.
If the Jets strike out on Duchene, they should heavily pursue Ottawa's other big rental, Mark Stone, or the Blue Jackets' Artemi Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent.
This is Winnipeg's year. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff should put all his draft picks and top prospects on the trade block in order to acquire a game-breaking forward to anchor the second line.
"I didn't hit him in the face," Malkin told The Athletic's Josh Yohe. "If I had touched him in the face, for sure, I would get suspended. It's a high stick, but it's not like I broke his face. I think I won't get suspended."
Following the play, Malkin was given a five-minute major and was ejected from the game. Meanwhile, Raffl wasn't assessed a penalty despite appearing to punch the Pens center in the back of the head.
"It was a little bit dangerous," Malkin added of his stick swing. "But nothing real bad, I didn't think. It's my fault, for sure. The refs thought it was dangerous. Next time, I need to play smarter."
Monday was Malkin's first game since Jan. 30 after being sidelined with an upper-body injury. In 51 contests this season, the 32-year-old has recorded 56 points.
The NHL regular season is quickly coming to an end and several teams remain in the hunt for the final playoff positions with just eight weeks remaining. In anticipation of what's to come, let's look at three postseason series we would love to see.
A battle between hockey's two most historic franchises is long overdue. It's been 40 years since these Original Six rivals met in the postseason and the time may finally be right for an epic showdown. Both organizations made major changes over the last few years and each team is playing at a very high level.
If this year's regular-season contests - two overtime thrillers - are any indication of what a playoff series would look like, fasten your seat belt and get ready for a wild ride. Speed, skill, and nearly 100 years of bad blood make for must-see TV.
The Maple Leafs have been considered among the Stanley Cup favorites since signing John Tavares this offseason, while the Canadiens entered the campaign appearing closer to the draft lottery than a playoff position.
But career seasons from Max Domi and Johnathan Drouin, incredible play from netminder Carey Price, and the return of rearguard Shea Weber have lifted the ceiling for a young Canadiens team that would give Toronto a serious headache over a seven-game playoff series.
The bad blood is real between these two Western Conference heavyweights, and it was best highlighted in an 8-5 Flames win at the Saddledome on New Year's Eve.
With what had been an extremely hostile contest reaching its conclusion and the result not in doubt, Flames forward Sam Bennett landed a late hit on Sharks defenseman Radim Simek, sparking outrage from San Jose. The clubs combined for 64 penalty minutes during the game's final 41 seconds.
Through three contests this season, the teams combined for 23 goals, 106 hits, and 110 penalty minutes. If that doesn't sound like a recipe for exciting playoff hockey, we're not sure what does.
Of all the Stanley Cup Final rematches in play, this one seems the most likely to happen, and also comes with elevated stakes. The 2004 final will forever be remembered for Martin Gelinas' no-goal in Game 6, and the Flames have never been so well-equipped to gain retribution. On the flip side, the Lightning appear due for a championship, as they have for a few years now.
In a season marked by an uptick in goal-scoring, the Lightning and Flames each rank in the NHL's top three with 3.80 and 3.67 goals per game, respectively. Each dynamic offense features three players with 60 or more points, and combine to offer six of the league's top-20 scorers this season.
The Lightning have been the best regular-season team for back-to-back campaigns and have made three conference final appearances and one Stanley Cup Final appearance this decade - losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. The Flames, on the other hand, have struggled to maintain a consistent playoff presence and have just one playoff series win to their name since the aforementioned 2004 final.
Not convinced? Well, you won't have to wait long to see, as these two juggernauts will do battle Tuesday night in Tampa Bay.
