Avalanche player tested positive for coronavirus

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A Colorado Avalanche player tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the club announced Thursday.

"The player has been at home in isolation since the first symptoms appeared, has recovered, and is back to normal. The Avalanche have notified anyone who has had known close contact with the athlete," a statement said.

Two Ottawa Senators players tested positive for the virus last week.

The NHL initially instructed players to self-quarantine through March 27 before extending that directive to April 4.

The league paused its season on March 12 amid the outbreak.

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NHL podcast: Simulating 2019-20 stretch drive, key storylines on pause

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.

Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Sean Tierney, the man behind ChartingHockey.ca and the director of hockey analytics for the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

  • Simulating the rest of the NHL season using mathematical models
  • Missing playoff pushes for the Canucks, Rangers, and Blue Jackets
  • Hellebuyck and the Vezina, Matthews and the Rocket Richard
  • Duties and challenges for a junior-level hockey analytics director

... and more!

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Hall razzes Strome’s drill: ‘All you need to work on if you play with Panarin?’

Hockey players are getting creative with their home workouts and practice routines, and New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome shared a difficult one of his own Thursday.

Strome has been enjoying the best season of his career in his second campaign with the Rangers, tallying 18 goals and 41 assists before the league halted play. He's spent a lot of his time on the ice with teammate Artemi Panarin, who's amassed 32 goals and a team-leading 95 points.

It wasn't long until Arizona Coyotes forward Taylor Hall took a jab at Strome's routine, jokingly asking if playing with the dynamic Panarin left little need for a more diverse regimen.

Hall, who is set to hit free agency this summer, may need to rethink his options if that's all he'll need to practice with the Rangers.

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Foligno using ‘Rocky mentality’ for training during NHL’s hiatus

If all goes according to plan, Nick Foligno will be eating lightning and crapping thunder by the time the NHL resumes play.

The closure of team facilities has forced NHL players to get creative with their workouts, and the Columbus Blue Jackets' captain is no exception.

"You're kind of going back to that 'Rocky' mentality where you're doing push ups and sit ups and punching the cow," he said on a video conference call Thursday, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

If you're unfamiliar with 1976 film, unknown heavyweight challenger Rocky Balboa punched raw meat as part of his training routine. While Foligno is obviously exaggerating, other players around the league have also had to alter their training methods.

"I haven't gotten that creative," Sidney Crosby said, according to Pens Inside Scoop's Sam Kasan. "You do the best that you can. I have a bike. Push ups. It's old school at this point. Whatever you can get done you get done. That's what I've been doing."

Devils star P.K. Subban relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to better his workout regimen.

"In New Jersey I didn't have much equipment there. I'm just so used to doing all my working out at the rink," he told Devils reporter Amanda Stein. "Here in L.A. I have more gym equipment at my place. I'm trying to stick to as close a routine as I can."

Each player is in a different spot when it comes to knowing what lies ahead. Even if the NHL goes straight to the playoffs, Crosby's Penguins are guaranteed a postseason berth, sitting third in the Metropolitan Division. Foligno's Blue Jackets own the second wild-card spot by points, but would be on the outside looking in if seeding's determined by points percentage. Subban, whose Devils sit third-last in the Eastern Conference, may have played his last game of the season already.

Of course, an expanded playoff format and/or a tournament for lottery teams would change things.

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Crosby, Ovechkin open to going straight to playoffs if season resumes

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

Sidney Crosby was among several players to share his thoughts on the paused season in video conference calls Thursday, and for his part, the Pittsburgh Penguins star hopes to play as much as possible.

"You try to get in as many games as you can. I wouldn't mind starting right at the playoffs," Crosby said, according to Pens Inside Scoop's Sam Kasan. "But there are a lot of guys in different situations. The more games you can play, the better (the) integrity of it."

On a separate call, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin admitted he would hope to go straight to the postseason, although Anders Lee, who was on the same call, sits right outside of a playoff spot with the New York Islanders.

"For us it is better for playoffs to start right now. We don't want to play extra games," Ovechkin said, according to the Washington Post's Samantha Pell. "I would rather play playoffs right away. Sorry, guys."

Philadelphia Flyers forward Giroux was on a similar page as Crosby in hoping to get in more regular-season games.

"It would be good to get a few games before playoffs," Giroux said. "Especially for teams fighting for a spot. Whatever is most fair for everyone.”

The Capitals occupy the first spot in the Metropolitan Division, the Flyers the second spot, and the Penguins the third. If the league does decide to go straight into the playoffs, it would potentially set up a first-round matchup between the Flyers and Penguins.

Over the coming days, every team will have a player represent it on a media conference call, according to The Hockey News' Matt Larkin.

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NHL value bets: Reviewing our best, worst preseason predictions

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.

A day before the 2019-20 NHL season began, we gave out 12 fearless value bets for the campaign. It was essentially a "bold predictions" article.

Let's revisit all of those predictions, working our way from the worst of the bunch to the best.

Sharks to win the Stanley Cup (25-1)

Not only were the Sharks NOT going to win the Cup this season, but they were in pole position to finish last in the Western Conference.

Erik Karlsson to win the Norris (8-1)

A broken thumb cut Karlsson's season short, but he wasn't anywhere near the Norris conversation through 56 games.

Panthers to win the Eastern Conference (9-1)

Why do I get the feeling that while Sergei Bobrovsky struggled on the ice, his handicap drastically improved away from it?

Blues to miss the playoffs (5-2)

I led this section off by writing, "I have nothing but respect and admiration for Blues coach Craig Berube." I proceeded to bet against him. That was foolish.

John Gibson to win the Vezina (26-1)

Show this pick to the next person who tells you to bet on talent over opportunity. Gibson is one of the most talented goalies in the world, yet the Ducks made him look like Robert Esche.

Penguins to miss the playoffs (8-5)

I mean, it still could have happened, right? This is all Tristan Jarry's fault.

Coyotes to make the playoffs (6-5)

The Coyotes were on track for the playoffs before a trade for Taylor Hall curiously derailed their season. Something tells me Hall and Phil Kessel could be joining Bobrovsky on the PGA Tour soon.

Hurricanes to win the Metro Division (4-1)

The Hurricanes weren't on track to win the division, but if the season eventually resumes, I still think they're capable of big things.

Canucks to make the playoffs (9-5), Flames to miss the playoffs (2-1), Jets to miss the playoffs (10-13)

I think at least two of these bets would have cashed if the season wasn't suspended, but the point of this was to show I was higher on the Canucks and lower on the Flames and Jets than most, and I'm feeling pretty good about all of that right now.

Nathan MacKinnon to win the Hart (14-1)

MacKinnon was having an MVP-caliber season and was all the way down to +250 in the Hart Trophy odds. If not for Leon Draisaitl, he would have been a lock.

Devils to miss the playoffs (10-11), Islanders to miss the playoffs (1-1), Rangers to miss the playoffs (2-3)

The Islanders could still have thrown a wrench in this, but for the first time since 1965-66, it was looking like no New York-area team was going to make the playoffs.

Matthews to win the Rocket Richard (14-1)

Matthews had closed the gap behind David Pastrnak and Alex Ovechkin to just one goal, and given the recent pace, I think he would have claimed this honor over the final 12 games.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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Blackhawks’ Toews donating $100K to COVID-19 relief

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will commit $100,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund through his personal foundation, the team announced Thursday.

Toews has spent 13 seasons in Chicago, including 12 as the Blackhawks' captain. His donation is intended to match the first $100,000 raised by the team's fans, a figure the club has also matched.

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price have also made generous donations to help combat the pandemic.

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MVPs for all 15 Western Conference teams

Following Monday's rundown of the Eastern Conference, here's every Western Conference squad's most valuable player to this point in the season:

Anaheim Ducks

Pick: Adam Henrique

There hasn't been a whole lot to cheer for this season in Anaheim, and with usual team backbone John Gibson putting together a campaign well below his typical standards, Henrique earns the honor for the Ducks. The 30-year-old leads the club in points to go along with a career-high 26 goals.

Arizona Coyotes

Pick: Darcy Kuemper

The Coyotes were comfortably in contention for a top-three spot in the Pacific before Kuemper went down with an injury, and their season cratered once he hit the shelf. During his 28-game absence, Arizona managed an 11-13-4 record. Kuemper's numbers for the season are Vezina-like - a .928 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average in 29 games.

Calgary Flames

Norm Hall / National Hockey League / Getty

Pick: Matthew Tkachuk

Calgary's stars have taken a significant step back in terms of production, and Tkachuk emerged to lead the team in points and rank second in scoring. Between his highlight-reel goals, overall offensive development, and agitating on-ice antics, Tkachuk is quickly becoming the face of the Flames.

Chicago Blackhawks

Pick: Patrick Kane

"Showtime" continues to rack up the points. The 31-year-old Kane ranks eighth in league scoring with 84 points - 24 more than Jonathan Toews, who's second on the Blackhawks. There's much to be desired about Kane's defensive impact, but where would Chicago be without his offensive contributions?

Colorado Avalanche

Pick: Nathan MacKinnon

Apart from a couple of Edmonton Oilers stars, it's hard to make a case that anyone is more deserving of the Hart Trophy than MacKinnon is. The Avalanche have been without key players all season, but it hasn't slowed him down, as he's registered 93 points - an incredible 43 more than the second most for Colorado - in 69 contests.

Dallas Stars

Pick: Ben Bishop

The Stars have struggled mightily to score goals this season, so it's a good thing they have Bishop to hold down the fort. The 33-year-old posted a .920 save percentage along with a 21-16-4 record. It's worth noting backup Anton Khudobin has a .930 clip to help form one of the best goaltending duos in the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers

John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty

Pick: Connor McDavid

The Oilers are one of the only teams that have two legitimate MVP candidates. Both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been sensational this season, but the captain gets the edge. Draisaitl has been magnificent and may have saved Edmonton's season with his Herculean performances while McDavid was out with an injury. But then No. 97 casually put up 16 points in nine games when he returned to bring his total to a fitting 97 in 64 games.

Los Angeles Kings

Pick: Anze Kopitar

This one's a layup. The Kings occupied last place in the West for the majority of the season, but Kopitar has been solid the entire campaign. The captain leads the team in scoring by a landslide with 62 points in 70 games and logs over 21 minutes per night against top competition.

Minnesota Wild

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pick: Kevin Fiala

Many wondered what former Wild general manager Paul Fenton was thinking when he flipped Mikael Granlund for Fiala at last year's trade deadline, but the 23-year-old forward has come into his own this season. Fiala leads the club in scoring with 54 points in 64 games, including 29 in 24 once the calendar flipped to the new year.

Nashville Predators

Pick: Roman Josi

A lock to be a Norris Trophy finalist for the first time in his career, Josi's marvelous season being halted is among the more disappointing consequences of the NHL's postponement. The Swiss defender leads the Predators with 65 points and ranks second among all blue-liners in scoring. Josi also sits third at his position with a whopping 25:47 of average ice time.

San Jose Sharks

Pick: Brent Burns

Burns has been the constant during a trying and injury-plagued season for the Sharks. The veteran blue-liner has managed 45 points in 70 games - a decrease from his normal pace but still 11th among all defensemen - while averaging over 25 minutes per contest.

St. Louis Blues

Scott Rovak / National Hockey League / Getty

Pick: Alex Pietrangelo

The Blues have a few worthy candidates, but it's difficult to imagine the defending champions leading the Central Division if Pietrangelo missed any significant time. The captain is on pace to set a career high with 60 points and already set a new personal benchmark with 16 goals.

Vancouver Canucks

Pick: Jacob Markstrom

Much like Kuemper in Arizona, an injury to goaltender Markstrom was a devastating blow to the Canucks' pursuit of a playoff spot. Before going down, he posted a .918 save percentage and 11.4 goals-saved above average in 43 starts.

Vegas Golden Knights

Pick: Mark Stone

Stone has been a perfect fit in Vegas, and his first full season with the Golden Knights was going swimmingly before a lower-body injury caused him to miss the final handful of games before the league paused. Stone has developed tremendous chemistry with Max Pacioretty on the second line and has 63 points in 65 games while dominating at both ends of the ice.

Winnipeg Jets

Pick: Connor Hellebuyck

The defensively porous Jets hold the West's top wild-card spot primarily because of Hellebuyck's contributions in goal. The 26-year-old netminder is 31-21-5 with a .922 save percentage and remarkable 22.4 goals-saved above average.

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