Senators’ Ryan sidelined with yet another hand injury

Ottawa Senators winger Bobby Ryan will miss at least two games with a hand injury, and possibly much longer:

Ryan suffered a hand injury after scoring a power-play goal in the third period of Ottawa's win over Anaheim on Thursday, and it's the latest in a string of similar issues, per TSN:

  • Nov. 29, 2014: Broken finger (two games)
  • Dec. 21, 2015: Hand injury (one game)
  • Nov. 18, 2016: Broken finger (two games)
  • Nov. 30, 2016: Hand injury (three games)
  • Feb. 18, 2017: Broken right index finger (11 games)
  • Oct. 21, 2017: Broken right index finger (eight games)
  • Dec. 21, 2017: Re-aggravated finger injury (one game)
  • Jan. 9, 2017: Re-aggravated finger injury (one game)

Ottawa plays Philadelphia and Montreal over the weekend, followed by a game against New Jersey on Feb. 6.

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Raanta given night off following car accident

Light has been shed on why Antti Raanta was absent from Thursday's loss to the Dallas Stars.

The Arizona Coyotes goaltender was shaken up after being involved in a rear-end car accident prior to the game, according to Craig Morgan of NHL.com.

Head coach Rick Tocchet was informed of the incident a few hours before puck drop, and decided to start Scott Wedgewood as a precaution.

The Stars won the game 4-1 and Wedgewood made 21 saves in the loss.

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Devils’ Palmieri: Gudas has lost ‘benefit of the doubt’

Kyle Palmieri doesn't believe a two-minute penalty for interference is enough for Radko Gudas.

The Devils forward was the recipient of a dangerous-looking hit from the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman in Thursday's win, and Palmieri hopes the NHL takes a closer look.

"After certain events and a certain history, you lose the benefit of the doubt of saying it was an accident," Palmieri said, per Chris Ryan of NJ.com. "His history speaks for itself. I know it's a fast game, stuff happens out there, but like I said, you lose the benefit of the doubt after a couple incidents and reckless plays.

"It's not my decision to make, but it seems more than likely that he's run out of second chances."

Here's the hit, as well as the ensuing melee:

Gudas, who received a minor penalty as a result of the hit, was suspended 10 games earlier this season for a violent slashing incident.

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Sabres’ Larsson to have hearing for cross-checking Panthers’ Trocheck

Buffalo Sabres forward Johan Larsson will have a hearing Friday for cross-checking Florida’s Vincent Trocheck, the NHL announced.

Here's a look at the incident:

Larsson was penalized for cross-checking, and received a match penalty.

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Islanders’ GM: ‘I’m not trading John Tavares’

With his franchise player set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow doesn't appear to be entertaining the thought of making a preemptive move.

"I’m not trading John Tavares," Snow said Thursday to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

The Islanders are in a precarious position, sitting a single point out of a playoff spot but with three teams to leap in order to secure one.

Related: 5 potential trade targets who could salvage Islanders' playoff hopes

Their chances would be greatly diminished if Snow concluded they can't risk allowing Tavares to leave as a free agent without gaining assets in return, but he's prepared to wait it out in the hopes that the captain will re-sign prior to July 1, or even after weighing his options on the open market.

The Islanders are set to build a new arena in Belmont and will split games between Barclays Center and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the meantime, with Tavares remaining in their plans as the main attraction.

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Oddsmakers list Lightning, Golden Knights, Bruins as Cup favorites

It's no surprise that the Tampa Bay Lightning are pegged as Stanley Cup favorites, as they entered the season as the supposed best team in hockey and have proven that to be true.

In recent weeks, however, the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins have emerged as legitimate threats, bumping last year's Cup winner and runner-up down the list.

Here's a look at the odds, compared to those offered a month ago, per Bodog:

Team Odds on Jan. 2 Odds on Feb. 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 6/1 6/1
Vegas Golden Knights 15/2 6/1
Boston Bruins 20/1 15/2
Nashville Predators 14/1 14/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 18/1 14/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 12/1 14/1
Washington Capitals 18/1 14/1
St. Louis Blues 14/1 16/1
Winnipeg Jets 14/1 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 25/1 22/1
Calgary Flames 33/1  22/1
Dallas Stars 25/1 22/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 18/1 25/1
Minnesota Wild 28/1 25/1
San Jose Sharks 22/1 25/1
Chicago Blackhawks 22/1 28/1
New York Rangers 25/1 28/1
Los Angeles Kings 16/1 28/1
Colorado Avalanche 100/1 33/1
New Jersey Devils 18/1 33/1
Philadelphia Flyers 40/1 33/1
New York Islanders 33/1 40/1
Carolina Hurricanes 40/1 50/1
Edmonton Oilers 28/1 66/1
Detroit Red Wings 150/1 200/1
Florida Panthers 66/1 200/1
Montreal Canadiens 66/1 200/1
Ottawa Senators 100/1 200/1
Arizona Coyotes Off the Board Off the Board
Buffalo Sabres Off the Board Off the Board
Vancouver Canucks 75/1 Off the Board

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Jets incensed that Haula’s goal stood despite Neal slashing Hellebuyck’s mask

Warning: Story contains coarse language

The Winnipeg Jets were furious with the controversial goal that was upheld in their overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Erik Haula's tap-in goal was allowed to stand despite the fact teammate James Neal broke his stick on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's mask moments before, and Jets captain Blake Wheeler didn't mince words when asked about it postgame.

"Come on, (he) fucking breaks a stick over his head," Wheeler told reporters, according to the Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre. "That’s not a goal. I don’t care where the puck is."

Hellebuyck was also miffed.

"I think it’s a terrible call," he said. You would think the video replay is there for that reason (to overturn calls like that). That’s just dirty. I can take a stick to the face. But just because I don’t throw my head back and make it obvious, I feel like I got kind of screwed.

"This is my fourth goal with my helmet, having an issue with it," the netminder added. "(There was a) goal with my helmet off, (a) goal with my buckle off, (and a) goal where a guy trampled me. Maybe I should start diving a little bit, (because) that’s just ridiculous."

Jets head coach Paul Maurice couldn't believe it, either.

"I don't know how there'd be an event that would be more egregious with goaltender interference, just beyond the spirit of the rule," he said. "The idea that a guy could clean a goalie out would be goalie interference, but a two-hand to the head wouldn't.

"What are we going to do with our goalies now?" Maurice continued. "The puck's loose in the crease, so swing away? We can’t have people swinging at our goalie’s heads. You can’t allow that to creep into the game."

The incident occurred in the second period of Thursday's game. The Jets tied the contest late in the third, but David Perron won it in overtime to give the Golden Knights the NHL record for expansion-team victories.

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Watch: Goal stands despite Neal breaking stick on Hellebuyck’s mask

The Vegas Golden Knights' historic night didn't come without a little controversy.

Erik Haula's second-period goal was upheld upon review after being challenged by Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice, who was looking for a goaltender interference call because Golden Knights forward James Neal broke his stick on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck's mask.

Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor tied the game late in the third period, but Vegas' David Perron won it in overtime to give the Golden Knights the most wins by an expansion team in NHL history.

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