It was raining hats in Edmonton on Sunday night at Rogers Place, courtesy of Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who netted three goals in the team's 7-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of their second-round series.
If you didn't happen to catch the game, the ice was covered with hats following the German's third goal of the game. Take a look:
Thanks to the amount of lids that were tossed onto the ice, the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation will be donating them to various charities across the city.
The following five players are all key ingredients in the Washington Capitals' winning formula, but they haven't been up to the task through five games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals will need better showings from all of them in Games 6 and 7 if they want to complete the series comeback after trailing 3-1.
T.J. Oshie
Oshie has yet to score in this series. If the Caps are going to pull off a comeback, they need more from a player who tied for the team lead in goals with 33 during the regular season.
What's most concerning about Oshie's play is that he has only taken seven shots through five games. That's simply not enough, especially considering he has averaged 20:37 minutes of ice time this series - the most among Capitals forwards.
Braden Holtby
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Facing the high-flying Penguins is obviously a tough task, but, frankly, Holtby has been terrible, sporting an .876 save percentage in the series.
He won the Vezina Trophy last season as the league's top goaltender, and was nominated again this year. They need him to start playing like the perennial Vezina candidate he is.
The Caps have outplayed the Pens all series. The only thing holding them back is Holtby, who has been bested by Marc-Andre Fleury in the opposite crease. It's been the difference in the series thus far.
Justin Williams
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Williams is 35 years old, so it's hard to ask him to produce offensively like he did in his prime.
However, the Capitals signed him based on his postseason pedigree. He scored clutch goals throughout three Stanley Cup runs, and has seven game-winners in his playoff career.
Washington needs a big marker from this grizzled veteran, who has put up a goose egg in the goal column so far this series, if they plan on advancing past the Penguins.
Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Even as their team dresses seven defensemen, Orlov and Niskanen need to elevate their games. The pairing is relied upon to play substantial minutes, but hasn't been up to the challenge so far.
They've been on the ice for a combined 34 scoring chances for and 43 scoring chances against so far in the postseason at five on five, according to Corsica Hockey.
Furthermore, the pairing has totaled 23 giveaways but only 13 takeaways in the playoffs. With the excellent transition game the Penguins possess, these two need to start making smarter decisions with the puck.
The most valuable member of the Nashville Predators might be a man who hasn't taken to the ice this season - or any season, for that matter.
General manager David Poile has been at the Predators' helm since the team's inception in 1998, and while the team has enjoyed marginal success in the past, it's certainly been no slouch either, with nine previous playoff appearances since the 2003-04 campaign.
With Sunday's Game 6 win over the St. Louis Blues, the Predators punched their ticket to the Western Conference Final for the first time in their history. Below are the biggest moves Poile made to turn his team into the juggernaut it appears to be:
Subban trade
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Some Montreal Canadiens fans vowed to never cheer for the team again after P.K. Subban was dealt. Whether they meant it or not, it's a pretty good indication that the Predators won that trade.
Subban has come exactly as advertised - not by Michel Therrien, though. He's been a competitor who gives his all on both ends, and a lively personality, too. Despite what some on-air personalities might think, though, he's also been all business for the Predators.
He posted 10 goals and 40 points during the regular season despite missing 16 games, and has added another seven points during the playoffs. He also helped limit Vladimir Tarasenko to just two goals and an assist in six games, which was certainly a big reason for the club's second-round victory.
Poile gouged his former team back in 2013, acquiring the young Swedish prospect for an aging Erat and Latta.
It took a couple seasons for Forsberg to become a full-time NHLer, but the 22-year-old, now in his third full season with the team, looks to be on his way to becoming a career Predator. He's also been a vital cog in the playoffs, with eight points in 10 games.
Meanwhile, Erat is coming off his first season in the Czech Extraliga, and Latta spent the 2016-17 season in the American Hockey League.
Impeccable draft record
While Poile has struck gold on a lot of his trades, what might be even more impressive is his knack for making the most of his draft selections. The Predators' current roster is proof of that:
Player
Year drafted
Round drafted (selection)
'16-17 Playoff points/SV%
Roman Josi
2008
2 (38)
8
Ryan Ellis
2009
1 (11)
9
Colton Scissons
2012
2 (50)
6
Viktor Arvidsson
2014
4 (112)
5
Mattias Ekholm
2009
4 (102)
3
Kevin Fiala
2014
1 (11)
2
Austin Watson
2010
1 (18)
2
Craig Smith
2009
4 (98)
1
Colin Wilson
2008
1 (7)
2
Miikka Salomaki
2011
2 (52)
0
Pekka Rinne
2004
8 (258)
.951
That's 11 players on the team's current roster. Not a bad haul.
Johansen for Jones
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Before Poile made one of the biggest one-for-one deals - sending Shea Weber to the Canadiens for Subban - he shocked the hockey world by dealing towering defenseman Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Ryan Johansen last season.
It was a deal that seemingly helped both clubs, and was a great example of asset management, as the Predators were already stocked with defensemen.
The Predators, in turn, got the high-caliber center they had coveted, and they're grateful for that. Johansen's 95 points since joining the team last year are just one shy of Forsberg for the team lead over that time, while his nine points in 10 playoff games this year tie him with Ryan Ellis for the most among all Predators.
The other clutch deals
Besides the blockbusters mentioned above, Poile has also used some smaller deals to help fill out his roster:
There was also the trade for Mike Fisher back in 2011, which - now that he's captain of the team - looks pretty good.
The Predators will now await the winner of Game 7 between the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, but should like their chances either way. The team has a playoff-best 8-2 record, and has made quick work of their two early opponents.
The players are doing their jobs, and that's because the GM has done his.
Here's what happened on Day 4 of the World Hockey Championship in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany.
Canada 6 - Belarus 0
Canada improved to 3-0-0-0 in the tournament, good enough for top spot in Group B.
Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon picked up another two goals and an assist to give him five goals and seven points through three games.
Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Brayden Point - who was named Canada's player of the game - added a pair of goals, while Jeff Skinner's single tally means he's now scored in each of his team's three wins.
Calvin Pickard was perfect, turning away all 13 Belarus shots.
Canada will enjoy two days off before its next game against host France on Thursday.
As for Belarus - who fall to 0-0-0-3 - it will next face Switzerland on Wednesday.
For full scores and coverage, visit the IIHF's World Championship website.
Whoever is in charge of playing the victory anthems at the IIHF World Hockey Championship was a little Slo at the draw after Slovakia's 3-2 win over Italy on Saturday.
Instead of playing Slovakia's anthem, "Nad Tatrou Sa Blyska," Slovenia's anthem, "Zdravljica," was blared throughout the arena.
The Slovakian players were obviously confused, but luckily their fans were there to drown out the anthem with cheers.
The staff member in question at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, will get a chance at redemption (if they still have their job) if Slovakia can pull off a win Tuesday against Denmark.
Whoever is in charge of playing the victory anthems at the IIHF World Hockey Championship was a little Slo at the draw after Slovakia's 3-2 win over Italy on Saturday.
Instead of playing Slovakia's anthem, "Nad Tatrou Sa Blyska," Slovenia's anthem, "Zdravljica," was blared throughout the arena.
The Slovakian players were obviously confused, but luckily their fans were there to drown out the anthem with cheers.
The staff member in question at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, will get a chance at redemption (if they still have their job) if Slovakia can pull off a win Tuesday against Denmark.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' thin defense corps will take another hit on Monday night.
Trevor Daley - who left Saturday night's contest in the third period - will miss Game 6 against the Washington Capitals as he deals with a lower body injury, head coach Mike Sullivan announced Monday.
Daley has averaged 18:27 of ice time per game, chipping in with one assist in 10 games.
Meanwhile, fellow defenseman Brian Dumoulin had a maintenance day Monday and will suit up for Game 6.
The Washington Capitals are 60 minutes or more from having their Stanley Cup dreams shattered again. But being on the brink is a good thing for two of the club's best players.
The Caps will play their second straight elimination game Monday night against Pittsburgh. The Penguins are up 3-2, and are looking to end Washington's season in six games in the second round for the second consecutive spring.
Barry Trotz, though, can rest assured goalie Braden Holtby and captain Alex Ovechkin will show up. They have a history of doing so.
False narratives
By now, you know the "Ovechkin doesn't show up in big playoff games" narrative is garbage. In 19 career elimination games, Ovie has 10 goals and 10 assists. He'll leave his mark on Game 6.
Meanwhile, a dive into Holtby's playoff career suggests he's going to be in top form, as well, despite a subpar postseason so far, by his standards. Among goalies who have played at least five playoff games in 2017, his .909 save percentage is tied for 12th in the league - a far cry from his career .932 save percentage in the postseason.
Throughout his career, though, Holtby's risen to the challenge when his team faces elimination:
Year
Game #
Opponent
Round
SV%
Result
2017
Game 5
Penguins
2nd
.909
W
2016
Game 6
Penguins
2nd
.905
L-OT
2016
Game 5
Penguins
2nd
.968
W
2015
Game 7
Rangers
2nd
.949
L-OT
2015
Game 7
Islanders
1st
.909
W
2013
Game 7
Rangers
1st
.815
L
2012
Game 7
Rangers
2nd
.935
L
2012
Game 6
Rangers
2nd
.972
W
2012
Game 7
Bruins
1st
.969
W
He has a .930 save percentage (252 saves on 271 shots) in nine career elimination playoff games, and is 5-4, with two overtime losses.
It's clear that with their backs against the wall, Holtby and Ovechkin rise to the occasion. But they need help in order to ensure a Game 7.
Supporting cast
Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Evgeny Kuznetsov are each averaging a point per game through five games against the Penguins. They're not the problem.
Losing three of the first four to the defending champs has left the Capitals with an almost-impossible challenge. One down, two to go. While it's certainly possible Holtby and Ovechkin can force a Game 7 on their own, the Capitals' depth must make its mark at some point this week, or it'll be deja vu.
With the offseason underway for a number of teams, and with the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.
2016-17 Grade: F
In an era when NHL teams earn points for losing, the 2016-17 Colorado Avalanche proved to be the most inept.
Since the adoption of the shootout coming out of the 2004-05 lockout, no team has finished with fewer than the 48 points amassed over 82 games by the Avalanche this season. If we include the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign, Colorado's .296 point percentage also ranks dead last.
The next worst seasons were recorded by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and it's no secret those rosters were not built to succeed, with a view to securing the best available talent through the draft.
To make matters worse, Colorado fell hard in the draft lottery, entering the proceedings with the best chance at securing the first overall pick and coming away with the fourth selection.
It doesn't get much worse than that.
Free Agents
General manager Joe Sakic's offseason to-do list features decisions to be made on a number of players who will need new contracts come July 1:
Player (Position)
2017-18 Status
Age
2016-17 Cap Hit
'16-17 Points
John Mitchell (F)
UFA
32
$1.8M
7
Mikhail Grigorenko (F)
RFA
22
$1.3M
23
Matt Nieto (F)
RFA
24
$735000
13
Rene Bourque (F)
UFA
35
$650000
18
Sven Andrighetto (F)
RFA
24
$650000
24
Fedor Tyutin (D)
UFA
33
$2M
13
Nikita Zadorov (D)
RFA
22
$894167
10
Patrick Wiercioch (D)
RFA
26
$800000
12
Cody Goloubef (D)
UFA
27
$750000
5
Player (Position)
2017-18 Status
Age
2016-17 Cap Hit
'16-17 Save %
Jeremy Smith (G)
UFA
28
$675000
.888
2017 Draft Picks
Prior to that date, the Avalanche have eight picks in the NHL Draft.
Round
Picks
1
1
2
1
3
0
4
2 (Own + Rangers)
5
1
6
1
7
1
Summer Priorities
1. Get Sakic some help: At present, Sakic serves as the Avalanche's head of hockey operations, overseeing the big picture while also running things from the ground as GM. Team president Josh Kroenke sits above him, but the owner's son doesn't really bring much tangible puck knowledge to the table.
At this juncture in the team's history, Sakic desperately needs help, and Colorado would do well by bringing in an experienced executive to run the show as head of hockey operations while Sakic focuses on the GM role, or by hiring a GM to direct the ship and make some more informed moves to help improve the team, with Sakic's approval.
2. Determine which core players to build around: Amid the struggles of this past season, the likes of Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene were oft mentioned in trade rumors.
Sakic held his ground, but it's not known whether that was due to an affinity for the players or a lack of suitable offers. Sakic did say he wants the team to get younger and faster, with Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Jost set to play increasingly prominent roles.
A significant shakeup isn't out of the question here.
3. Make the most of the fourth overall pick: As mentioned above, a historically bad season produced a lower than expected first-round pick for the Avalanche, and while this year's crop won't reap a Connor McDavid or an Auston Matthews, an infusion of the best available talent would have been nice.
Sakic and Co. will now have to work a bit harder to figure out who to select with the pick, or weigh the merits of either trading up or packaging the selection in an even bigger trade.
2017-18 Outlook
Expecting the Avalanche to make the jump from 30th to the playoffs in the vein of the 2016-17 Toronto Maple Leafs is a bit much, but a renewed emphasis on skill and speed, a bounce-back season for Semyon Varlamov - who spent much of the year on the shelf due to injury - and upgrades on the blue line should render Colorado at least somewhat competitive.
Still, pending offseason moves, the Avalanche will likely tumble back to the bottom of the Central Division next season.
