Flyers’ activate Streit after sending Gordon to AHL

Make room for Mark Streit.

The Philadelphia Flyers activated the veteran defenseman from the injured reserve Saturday. The 39-year-old had been sidelined since Dec. 14 after suffering a shoulder injury.

To make room for Streit's $5.25-million cap hit, the Flyers loaned center Boyd Gordon to Lehigh Valley (AHL) after he cleared waivers earlier Saturday.

Streit is expected to be in the lineup Saturday when the Flyers take on the Boston Bruins. He has scored five goals and 11 assists in 31 games this season.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Getzlaf and Perry’s reunion tour is a must own

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.

Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday, Jan. 14's main 10-game slate (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):

Dynamic Duos

  • C Ryan Getzlaf & RW Corey Perry (59K), Ducks (at Coyotes): Getzlaf returned to action Thursday, playing 19:43 and dishing out his 26th assist of the season, against the Colorado Avalanche. He didn't register a shot on goal, but Perry was credited with three SOG and scored for the first time since Dec. 13. The NHL's highest-profile duo has the best matchup of the night.
  • LW Teuvo Teravainen (41K) & RW Sebastian Aho (53K), Hurricanes (vs. Islanders): The Islanders allow more shot attempts per 60 minutes at 5v5 than any other team in the league. Opponents average 63.7 attempts per 60 minutes, with 32.9 shots on goal against per game ranking as the third-highest total in the league. Teravainen and Aho also see time on the second power-play unit.
  • LW Mike Hoffman & RW Mark Stone (57K), Senators (vs. Maple Leafs): The Senators remain dedicated to splitting up their offense at 5v5, with the team's top three goal scorers in Hoffman, Stone and C Kyle Turris each skating on a separate line. They are reunited on the team's top power-play unit. Toronto's expected goals against per 60 minutes of 2.75 ranks 28th in the league and rises to 2.85 on the road.

Goalie Breakdown

  • TARGET - Mike Condon (109K), Senators (vs. Maple Leafs): Condon was fantastic in the Senators' 4-1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, as he stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced. The Maple Leafs are among the league leaders in shot attempts per game, but they're on the second half of a back-to-back. Their offense has typically under performed in these situations all season.
  • BARGAIN - John Gibson (75K), Ducks (at Coyotes): Gibson has stopped 196 of the 204 shots he has faced through the first six games of January, recording two shutouts. The return of Getzlaf has sparked the Ducks' offense as many would suspect, so he will have more than enough goal support in the league's softest matchup.
  • FADE - Louis Domingue (107K), Coyotes (vs. Ducks): The high volume of shots Coyotes Gs Mike Smith and Domingue routinely face keeps their respective salaries rather high. The Ducks' offense under performed without Getzlaf, also raising Domingue's salary. With Getzlaf back, Domingue is far too risky of a play at this absurd salary.
  • CONTRARIAN - Martin Jones (82K), Sharks (vs. Blues): While Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko is always a dangerous opponent, the Blues rank 29th in Scoring Chances For per 60 minutes at just 6.80. Their 2.24 expected goals for per 60 ranks 26th. Jones is routinely under priced relative to his skill. He allowed 11 goals over his past three games but is in a good spot for a bounce back.

Bargain Plays

  • C Nick Bonino (28K), Penguins (at Red Wings): Bonino has been centering the Penguins' third line with LW Chris Kunitz and RW Phil Kessel. He has played between 12:24 and 17:14 in his past three games but picked up just one assist. He did tally two SOG in each of the three games.
  • RW Ryan Dzingel (28K), Senators (vs. Maple Leafs): Dzingel has gone point-less in his past three outings, but he has played as much as 18:18 and hasn't played less than 14:07 in any of his past eight games. He has multiple SOG in three of his past four games and remains on a line with Ottawa's top center in Kyle Turris.
  • D Ivan Provorov (25K), Flyers (at Bruins): Provorov had a three-game point streak snapped his last time out, but he was still able to tally two SOG. He hasn't played less than 21 minutes in any of his past four games, which includes time on the second power-play. He totaled 11 blocked shots over his past four games, providing a reasonable floor.

Top Fades

  • D Dustin Byfuglien (51K), Jets (at Kings): Byfuglien totaled just five shots on goal in his past two games, after three consecutive games with four SOG. He'll have a very difficult road matchup against one of the league's top team at limiting opponent shot attempts. He faces an added disadvantage on the second half of a back-to-back.
  • LW Thomas Vanek (52K), Red Wings (vs. Penguins): Vanek's shot rate has plummeted, as he hasn't topped two shots on goal in a game since Jan. 1. He still has three goals and four assists in the month, but he's riding a ridiculous shooting percentage of 30 percent. He played 18:05 his last time out, but he's averaging about 14 minutes for the month.
  • RW Jordan Eberle (52K), Oilers (vs. Flames): Eberle has struggled since being separated from C Leon Draisaitl, going point-less in each of his past five games. He hasn't scored since Dec. 9, and he hasn't tallied more than two SOG in any of his six games in January. His ice time has also dropped to an average of 15 minutes per game.

Contrarian Options

  • RW Jakub Voracek (67K), Flyers (at Bruins): Voracek has been separated from C Claude Giroux, which would typically limit his fantasy appeal. Giroux's line is much more likely to face defensive coverage from Bruins C Patrice Bergeron, making Voracek more appealing while being centered by a now healthy Sean Couturier.
  • C Ryan Johansen (66K), Predators (at Avalanche): Johansen maintains one of the highest center salaries, despite going point-less for four games. Furthermore, he hasn't recorded a shot on goal in two of the four games. His ice time remains around a 20-minute average, and he'll face the very permeable defense of the Avalanche.
  • LW Max Pacioretty (75K), Canadiens (vs. Rangers): Canadiens C Alex Galchenyuk is making a surprise return to action Saturday night. His return boosts the stocks of Pacioretty and RW Alexander Radulov rather significantly. Pacioretty maintained a reasonable level of production without the team's top center, but he becomes even more appealing ahead of a seemingly tough matchup.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Battle of Alberta: Flames, Oilers fighting for playoff position

The Battle of Alberta once again has meaning.

The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will reconnect Saturday for the 232nd rendition of their historic rivalry. With both clubs holding down a playoff spot through mid-January, it's sure to bring some added fuel to what's already a special game.

"(It's) probably the biggest game in the Battle of Alberta this far into a season in about 10 years," Oilers forward Milan Lucic told Jason Gregor of the Edmonton Journal. "There will be a buzz. We have to be ready."

Edmonton leads the season series 2-0 so far, winning a pair of early season games. Forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had three-point outings in the most recent meeting, a 5-3 Oilers win.

Given the NHL's return to the postseason divisional format, there remains the possibility that Edmonton and Calgary could match up this spring. The teams have met five previous times in the playoffs, most recently in 1991. The Oilers have taken four of those series.

The Flames last qualified for the postseason in 2015, their first berth since 2009, while the Oilers have not made the playoffs since 2006. That 10-year playoff drought is tied for the NHL's all-time longest mark with the Florida Panthers.

The Flames hold the upper hand in the Battle of Alberta with a 117-91-23 all-time record.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Galchenyuk returns to lineup as Canadiens face Rangers

The Montreal Canadiens will have an added boost to their lineup Saturday as center Alex Galchenyuk makes his long-awaited return from injury.

Galchenyuk last played Dec. 4 and has missed the past 18 games with a knee injury.

The Canadiens feared the worst with the injury, but have held their own in the meantime, posting a 9-5-4 record in Galchenyuk's absence.

Galchenyuk has been a key cog for the Canadiens this season, posting 23 points in 25 games, with his offensive game taking off since coach Michel Therrien elected to shift the young forward from wing to center.

Canadiens forward Andrew Shaw will also return to the lineup Saturday after missing the past 14 games with a concussion.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nolan Patrick makes dynamic return after 35-game absence

Nolan Patrick is already making up for lost time.

The Brandon Wheat Kings center - and projected top pick in the 2017 NHL Draft - returned to WHL action Friday after missing 35 games with a sports hernia.

Facing the Kootenay Ice, Patrick put up two goals and two assists, scoring his first of the game 12:04 into the opening frame. His performance powered the Wheat Kings to an 8-5 victory, after which Patrick was named the game's first star.

Patrick, who last played Oct. 11, has tallied 13 points in just seven games this season. He recorded 102 points in 72 games with Brandon last season.

Despite Patrick's time on the shelf - which also kept him sidelined during the recent World Junior Championship - he's still widely viewed as NHL's top pick in June.

Tim Bernhardt, director of amateur scouting for the Arizona Coyotes, recently told Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: "Nolan Patrick is a really good hockey player. He's probably not in the class of (Connor) McDavid and (Auston) Matthews, but he is without a doubt the top guy in the draft."

The Coyotes - with the league's second-fewest points - are among a handful of teams with stronger odds at landing Patrick in the draft, while the Colorado Avalanche currently hold the best odds as the NHL's last-place team. In an added wrinkle, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights will have the same odds as the third-worst team. A lottery is held for each of the top three picks, and no team can fall more than three draft spots.

Here are the latest prospect rankings for the 2017 draft, per ISS Hockey:

Rank Player Position Team/League Games Stats
1 Nolan Patrick F Brandon/WHL 7 6-7-13
2 Timothy Liljegren D Rogle/SHL 11 0-3-3
3 Nico Hischier F Halifax/QMJHL 35 28-30-58
4  Gabriel Vilardi F Windsor/OHL 24 17-17-34
5 Owen Tippett F Mississauga/OHL 40 34-21-55

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

9 fantasy moves you need to make before Week 14

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game

Stats are as of Thursday, Jan. 12; advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.

Don't leave Maroon stranded

Edmonton Oilers LW Patrick Maroon is still owned in under 50 percent of fantasy leagues. He has 17 goals and 24 points on the season, with just three of those points having come on the power play. He's been riding a high 17.2 shooting percentage, which has ballooned to 25.0 in January. He's atop the first line with the Oilers' two best players in Cs Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He'll continue to have good chances.

Leave Ryan Hartman for daily fantasy, for now

Hartman has broken out in January, scoring four goals and adding two assists to raise his season totals to 10 goals and nine assists. He has totaled 17 shots on goal in his past four games and has registered at least one SOG in all but one game this month. He's still playing on just the third line at 5v5 and doesn't see any power-play time. He hasn't topped 15:12 of ice time this month, which is unlikely to bring consistency to his game.

Keep your Flyers

The Flyers top-five skaters in C Claude Giroux, RW Wayne Simmonds, LW/RW Jakub Voracek, D Shayne Gostisbehere, and C/LW Brayden Schenn are well owned and for very good reasons. Fringe fantasy assets such as Ds Ivan Provorov, Radko Gudas, and Mark Streit are all worthy of holds during Philadelphia's "bye week" in Week 14. The team will play a weekend double header against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

Move van Riemsdyk

Toronto Maple Leafs LW James van Riemsdyk is on pace for his single-month high in points, having accumulated two goals and seven assists through just five January games. The production has been coming despite significantly less ice time than he has seen in any other month this year. The diminishing role will eventually curb his production totals. Move him before the Leafs do.

Artturi Lehkonen putting fantasy owners on notice

As injuries ravage the Montreal Canadiens, their 21-year-old rookie has been a primary beneficiary. He is locked in beside C Tomas Plekanec on the current second line. The pass-first center has helped the winger score three goals in six games this month, as he has multiple SOG in all but one game. His ice time is rather variable, but he's a strong low-cost daily fantasy option.

Get Wild

The Minnesota Wild have the league's most appealing schedule for Week 14, as they'll play four home games, against the New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators. The final two games of the week will be a double header. If debating between two free agents to add for the coming week, side with whichever one plays home games in Minnesota.

Start your daily lineups with John Gibson

January has been Gibson's best month of the season, as he has picked up two shutouts through six starts and stopped at least 30 shots in four of the six. The Ducks have a 5-1 record in his starts. They'll play road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Wild with a home date against the Colorado Avalanche in the middle of the week. He'll be a top option each time out.

Cory Schneider's season's about to get back on track

Schneider has returned to his early-season form, after posting save percentages below .900 in both November and December. He has allowed 10 goals in six games this month, but has a record of just 2-2-2. He'll need more goal support but the strong save percentage is a good foundation for fantasy contributions.

Investigate Craig Anderson

Ottawa Senators G Craig Anderson is finally nearing a return from his personal leave. Given his personal situation, he'll remain at risk of missing further extended stretches for the remainder of the season, but he has been among the league's best when active this season.

Owners needing to make up ground in save percentage or goals against average in rotisserie leagues could take the risk and examine low-cost trade scenarios for the possibility of elite numbers..

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Capitals latest team to record impressive win streak

The NHL hasn't been short on lengthy win streaks this season.

With Friday's 6-0 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Washington Capitals secured their eighth straight victory, pushing their season total to 61 points, one back of first overall in the NHL.

Washington last lost in regulation on Dec. 27 in a 4-3 defeat to the New York Islanders. Two nights later, the Capitals grabbed a single point in a shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils, and then began their eight-game win streak.

Most impressive during Washington's run has been the quality of its opponents. The Capitals have recorded their last five victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Blackhawks. All but the Senators rank in the league's top six, while Washington combined to outsource those teams 21-3.

The Capitals also snapped the Blue Jackets' 16-game win streak - one off the all-time record - with a 5-0 thumping on Thursday night.

Related: Holtby helping surging Capitals find their groove

Washington is just the latest NHL team to post an impressive win streak this season:

Team Win Streak Date Range
Columbus 16 Games Nov. 29 - Jan. 3
Minnesota 12 Games Dec. 4 - Dec. 29
Philadelphia 10 Games Nov. 27 - Dec. 14
Washington 8 Games Dec. 31 -

The Capitals will look to push their run to nine games whey they return to the ice Sunday against the Flyers.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Holtby helping surging Capitals find their groove

Playing at an elite level isn't unfamiliar territory for Braden Holtby, but he's been particularly unbeatable lately, and that stellar play has been a major factor in the Washington Capitals' eight-game win streak.

The goaltender earned his NHL-leading sixth shutout of the season in Friday's 6-0 domination of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Three of those clean sheets have come in his last five contests, and five of them have been recorded in his last 14 games.

The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner has long been in the conversation for the 2017 award, but beyond Sergei Bobrovsky's league-leading 26 wins, only Minnesota Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk has been better than Holtby in the other key categories.

Goaltender W GAA SV% SO
Dubnyk 22 1.77 .940 5
Holtby 21 1.85 .933 6
Bobrovsky 26 2.00 .931 3

The Capitals have allowed an NHL-best 1.95 goals against per game, which is a credit to their defense as well as the play of Holtby and backup goalie Philipp Grubauer, who's been excellent in his own right, going 7-1-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .929 save percentage in nine games.

Washington can obviously score goals, too, putting in six against one of the league's best teams Friday night and ranking seventh in the NHL with 2.98 goals per contest.

Still, they wouldn't be on this current roll without Holtby, who's picked up right where he left off last season, helping the Capitals continue to challenge the scrappy Columbus Blue Jackets for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Remember, we are all Canucks!