Welcome to the fourth edition of "Looking North," our weekly Friday dive into the all-Canadian division. This installment dates back to Feb. 5.

The rundown

The Toronto Maple Leafs further separated themselves from the rest of the division Wednesday night with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, who may be their biggest competition in Canada.

The Habs appear to have hit a bit of a rut, though. After starting the season 7-1-2, they've gone 1-3-0 in their last four games and have been leapfrogged by the Winnipeg Jets for second place in the division (by points percentage). The red-hot Calgary Flames are also gaining ground on Montreal.

The Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, continue to be the division's punching bags.

The stars

Auston Matthews is establishing himself as a legitimate Hart Trophy contender. The center has further developed his defensive game while still putting up gaudy offensive numbers. His eight-game goal streak came to an end Wednesday against the Canadiens, but he's riding an 11-game point streak. He collected three goals and an assist this past week.

The Jets only played twice this week, but Nikolaj Ehlers made them count, registering three goals and one assist. The Danish speedster is on pace for a career year.

Speaking of Danes, Frederik Andersen has brushed off a slow start, going 3-0-0 with a .958 save percentage and a 1.34 goals-against average this week. He's started seven straight games since backup Jack Campbell suffered an injury.

Canadian of the week

Darnell Nurse's development was going to be key to the Oilers' success with Oscar Klefbom out for the season. The Hamilton, Ontario, native hasn't disappointed, posting the best underlying numbers of his career despite averaging more ice time than ever before. He has 12 points in 16 games, including three goals in four contests this past week.

The moments

The highlight of the week comes courtesy of Matthews, who undressed Jalen Chatfield before going bar down on Braden Holtby.

Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson also went bar down this week ... but on his own net.

The question

How will Pierre-Luc Dubois settle into the Jets' lineup? He's failed to record a shot in his first two games with his new club. Jumping right into NHL action after a 14-day quarantine can't be easy, so patience is important.

Head coach Paul Maurice has used a variety of combinations since Dubois joined the club. On Tuesday, he was between Kyle Connor and Mason Appleton. On Thursday, it was Connor and Blake Wheeler. It seems as though Maurice is still searching for answers on how to deploy his newest weapon.

Stat of the week

Edmonton's 3-2 victory over Ottawa on Tuesday marked the Oilers' first win without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl recording a point since Nov. 28, 2017. The Oilers were previously 0-26-2 in that span when their two offensive catalysts were held off the scoresheet.

Games to watch

The Leafs and Habs will go at it again on Saturday. Look for Montreal to come out hungry in an effort to avenge Wednesday's loss and cut into Toronto's division lead.

The Flames will look to win their second straight over the Canucks on Saturday. Calgary will need to take care of business against the division's bottom-feeders to make the postseason. Vancouver should be desperate for a win, though.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights were notified during Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks that one of their players tested positive for COVID-19; upon learning of this, Vegas removed forward Tomas Nosek from the contest and placed him in isolation, the NHL announced Wednesday.

Nosek played over nine minutes but did not appear in the third period.

The Golden Knights and Ducks remain scheduled to play again Thursday. Care tests will be administered to all players and staff members on both teams ahead of the contest.

Vegas canceled its practice and media availability Wednesday due to COVID-19 protocols.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 4. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo. Stats are entering Sunday's games.

Add Pavel Buchnevich

Team: Rangers
Position: RW
Rostered: 25%

Buchnevich is averaging 19:51 of ice time per game - third-most among New York Rangers forwards - and has collected eight points in 10 contests so far this season. He's also skating on the team's first line and No. 1 power-play unit.

If Buchnevich has already been scooped up in your league, it's still beneficial to add another Rangers player. The Blueshirts are one of seven teams with four games this week and all of their tilts come on smaller slate days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). This allows you to set an optimal lineup.

Add Devan Dubnyk

Team: Sharks
Position: G
Rostered: 21%

Turn to Dubnyk if you're in need of goalie help. The former Minnesota Wild netminder has vastly outplayed teammate Martin Jones this season.

The San Jose Sharks are a poor defensive team but play in the league's easiest division. San Jose has two favorable matchups against the Los Angeles Kings this week, and it wouldn't be surprising if Dubnyk started both those contests.

Sell high on Joe Pavelski

Team: Stars
Position: C/RW
Rostered: 89%

Pavelski is off to a torrid start, already collecting seven goals and eight assists in eight games. That's clearly not sustainable. The 36-year-old's 30.4% shooting percentage is the highest in the league among skaters with at least 20 shots. He's also notched five markers with the man advantage, but the Dallas Stars' league-best 40% power play is due for some serious regression.

It's probably no secret Pavelski is going to come down to earth at some point, but it's still worth dangling him on the open market and seeing what's offered.

Add Nino Niederreiter

Team: Hurricanes
Position: LW/RW
Rostered: 15%

Niederreiter is off to a hot start, as he's already scored four times in eight games to begin the campaign. The 28-year-old has potted 20 goals four times in his career, but there's plenty of reason to believe he can play at a 30-goal pace - or better - this year.

He's averaging the most minutes in his career (16:18) and making the most of the increased workload. His 1.5 individual expected goals per 60 minutes are not only a career high but rank sixth in the league among qualified skaters. His 11.1 shots per 60 minutes are also a personal best.

Niederreiter is also playing on a strong second line with Vincent Trocheck and Teuvo Teravainen. The Carolina Hurricanes play only three games this week, but the Swiss winger could be a worthwhile addition long term.

Drop Braden Holtby

Team: Canucks
Position: G
Rostered: 71%

It's time to give up on Holtby. He's posted an .888 save percentage and a 3.83 goals-against average in seven games this season. This doesn't appear to be a fluke, either, as he hasn't had a strong regular season since 2016-17 and is now playing for arguably the worst defensive team in the league. The Vancouver Canucks allow more expected goals at five-on-five per 60 minutes than any other club.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars are benching Anton Khudobin on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks due to an "internal issue," head coach Rick Bowness said Saturday, according to NHL.com's Mike Heika.

Bowness did not disclose what Khudobin did, but he did not sound pleased with his netminder.

"I have very few rules, but you damn well better follow them," Bowness said.

Khudobin skated onto the ice Saturday as practice was ending, according to Heika, so it's possible he was late for practice.

"We do it very openly. We communicate very openly here," Bowness said. "We're a family. We'll deal with things internally, but you deal with things by communicating and making your feelings known, what is and what isn't acceptable."

Rookie Jake Oettinger will get the start in goal with Landon Bow backing him up.

Khudobin has posted a .908 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average in six games this season. The 34-year-old signed a three-year, $10-million contract with the Stars in the offseason.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are partnering with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, the team announced Saturday.

The Maple Leafs will help support the association's marketing, consult on commercial efforts, and host a game to showcase its players - when Canadian government regulations allow it.

"Over the years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been committed supporters of women’s hockey," team president Brendan Shanahan said.

"Beginning with Brian Burke’s initial support of the now-disbanded CWHL and continuing today, the Maple Leafs stand in support of Jayna Hefford and the PWHPA and recognize their efforts and incredible sacrifice in their determination to form a single, unified, sustainable professional league. Women’s hockey deserves nothing less."

The National Women's Hockey League suspended its season on Wednesday due to COVID-19 concerns.

The PWHPA is made up of approximately 125 of the world's best women hockey players. The league was created to advance fairness, opportunity, and equity in women's pro hockey.

The Leafs are the second NHL team - after the New York Rangers - to partner with the association this season.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL announced schedule changes to 27 games affecting all eight teams in the East Division on Saturday.

All times ET.

The Devils and Sabres have both been hit by COVID-19 outbreaks.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor Hellebuyck passed Ondrej Pavelec for the most wins in Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history Thursday night, the team announced.

Hellebuyck accomplished the feat in just his sixth campaign. It took Pavelec 10 seasons to get to 152 victories.

The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is just 27 years old and has four years remaining on his contract, giving him plenty of time to pad his lead.

Hellebuyck has gone 5-2-1 this season with a .913 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average.

The Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg prior to the 2011-12 season.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Thursday.

Sabres games through at least Feb. 8 have been postponed after forward Taylor Hall and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen were added to the COVID-19 protocol list.

The Sabres played the New Jersey Devils, who currently have 17 players on the COVID-19 list, on Saturday and Sunday.

Buffalo is reportedly furious with the league and New Jersey for allowing those weekend games to proceed despite the Devils showing signs of an outbreak.

Krueger was hired as head coach in 2019 and has guided the team to a 4-4-2 record so far this season.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is making four changes to its in-arena protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

TV viewers will notice the removal of the glass directly behind all team benches. The league is hoping this will increase airflow in an area where players and coaches are close together for an extended period of time.

Additionally, the league indicated it's considering requesting the use of portable air cleaners behind team benches "in order to improve the indoor air quality and mitigate the airborne viral transmission."

Players and coaches can also no longer show up to the arena more than one hour and 45 minutes before puck drop unless they're receiving treatment for injuries. The league advised that all meetings should be held virtually.

Lastly, teams are being asked to use additional locker room space so players are at least six feet apart at their stalls. Facilities that don't have the space are being asked to create it. Portable stalls will be provided if necessary.

The Minnesota Wild were the latest team to have their season halted by COVID-19. Their games are postponed through Feb. 9 after five players landed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday.

The New Jersey Devils have been hit the hardest, as 10 of their players were placed on the COVID-19 list Monday.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers placed forward Kaapo Kakko on the COVID-19 list Monday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Kakko's Type 1 diabetes could make him more prone to complications if he contracted COVID-19, but Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton said the 19-year-old is "fine," according to The Athletic's Rick Carpiniello.

Being on the COVID-19 list doesn't necessarily mean a player has the virus.

The 2019 second overall pick has tallied two goals and no assists in eight games this season.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.