Prior to Sunday's contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, former NHL superstar Mario Lemieux presented Penguins captain Sidney Crosby with a commemorative plaque recognizing his 1,000th point.
Making it extra special, part of the plaque is made of steel from the Civic Arena, the Penguins' former home and where Crosby began his NHL career in 2005.
Crosby hit the millennial mark in a three-point outing against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
The Ottawa Senators must not get fooled again when it comes to re-signing their backup goaltender.
A pending unrestricted free agent, the Senators have a decision to make when it comes to Mike Condon's future with the team.
With starter Craig Anderson away on a leave of absence, Condon stepped into the No. 1 job in Ottawa, holding down the fort as he posted a 16-9-5 record prior to Anderson's Feb. 11 return. That run included a .912 save percentage, 2.56 goals-against average, and 27 consecutive appearances.
Condon has been relegated to second-string duty since Anderson's return, and while his accomplishments during his time with the top job can't be ignored, the Senators don't have to look far to see how a similar story played out. Condon's case is familiar territory for the franchise.
Facing a netminding bind late in the 2014-15 campaign, Ottawa called on minor-leaguer Andrew Hammond to assume No. 1 goaltender duties, who then dragged the Senators to the playoffs on the back of a near-perfect 20-1-2 record.
Given that performance, then-general manager Bryan Murray signed Hammond to a lucrative three-year pact. But just over a year into that contract, "The Hamburglar" has since returned to the AHL, unable to keep up the pace of his magical run. In fact, in the ensuing two seasons, Hammond has come away with just seven wins in 30 outings, including an 0-for-6 mark this year.
As for Condon, there is no doubt he's earned a fair raise from his current $575,000 salary, but the Senators aren't forced to commit to a long-term deal with Anderson playing well and backups being a dime a dozen. Recall that it took all of a lowly fifth-round pick to acquire Condon in the first place.
The Senators reportedly have already beenin talks with Condon regarding a new contract, but the team would be wise to keep Hammond in mind when it comes time for their newfound backup to put pen to paper.
The winger took a shot off his hand during the third period of Ottawa's 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night, according to the Senators. Ryan is currently being evaluated to determine whether his hand is broken.
According to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, Ryan's injury is to his right index finger, the same one he injured earlier this season. He could miss up to six weeks if it is found to be broken.
Ryan initially injured his right hand in mid-November, suffering the injury in similar fashion by taking a shot off his hand against the Nashville Predators. He returned to the lineup in late November before being removed again after re-aggravating the injury.
The 29-year-old finally returned for the Senators in December, remaining in the lineup until re-injuring his hand once again Saturday night.
Ryan has 12 goals and 24 points in 50 games this season.
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Over the past couple of years, the NHL saw an extensive period during which one could ask: What in the H-E-double-hockey-sticks has happened to scoring? The entirety of the 2015-16 NHL season didn’t include a single game with a total of more than 5.5. The 2014-15 season had only seven games with a total of 6 or more, the last of those coming on Dec. 29, 2014.
It’s all part of a downward trajectory in NHL totals over the past dozen years.
Yet in just the past week, there were three games with totals of 6.5 – on three consecutive nights, no less. And continuing a trend in these contests, the over hit in all three: Winnipeg beat visiting Dallas 5-2 on Tuesday night, host Columbus topped Toronto 5-2 on Wednesday, and Pittsburgh notched a 4-3 overtime home victory Thursday against Winnipeg.
There have been 11 games this season with a total of 6.5, and the over has gone 8-3 in those games.
“Totals are definitely higher this season,” said Greg Sindall, senior oddsmaker for online site SportsInteraction, alluding to an additional 11 games with totals of 6, though the over trend isn’t as strong there. “I don’t know if it’s a short-term anomaly, as it’s been like this all year. Our bettors are certainly betting the over a lot, although the over is always the more popular play in most sports.”
Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US, certainly agrees with that assessment. Bogdanovich doesn’t pay too much attention to hockey outside of the playoffs, but said that when it comes to totals, the NHL is a lot like its more popular peers.
“The higher the total, the more they’re gonna bet the over,” he said. “All the parlays are on the over - 95 percent. That’s just the way it is. In the NBA, baseball, whatever, we always shade to the over, and we’re usually rooting for the under.”
his season’s scoring statistics bear out the need to pump up the total a little more often. The average number of goals per game is 5.56, a marked increase from the 5.42 of the 2015-16 season and the first time since the 2010-11 season (5.59) that the average has been at 5.5 or above.
Sindall said scoring was up right from the get-go this season, so his shop began raising totals about a month into play, particularly in games involving Pittsburgh, Washington, Columbus, Minnesota and the New York Rangers. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins lead the league, with their games averaging 6.35 total goals. The first-place Capitals have seen their games just above the league average at 5.58, with the Blue Jackets (5.67), Wild (5.66) and the Rangers (6.05) all well above the league average.
Four teams - Pittsburgh, Toronto, the Rangers and Winnipeg - have cumulative goals per game above 6.0 this year; Dallas was the only team to eclipse that mark in 2014-15 and 2015-16. But Sindall also pointed to certain players impacting betting totals, particularly some of the rising young stars across the league.
“Auston Matthews is definitely on there,” he said of the Toronto rookie, tied for sixth in the league with 27 goals. Cooley also cited Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (20 goals), Toronto’s William Nylander (16), Buffalo’s Jack Eichel (13), Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov (12) and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau (11).
Matthews and Nylander’s Maple Leafs best demonstrate the goal upswing, averaging 6.14 cumulative goals per game, second only to Pittsburgh.
“I think the biggest reason for the higher totals is that there are a lot of these young players coming into the league who are highly skilled offensive players, and they are extremely fast,” Sindall said. “These guys are making difficult plays at full speed, and it is very difficult for defenses and for goalies.
“There have been some injuries to goalies, and I think penalties are up a bit, so those could also contribute. But I would say the biggest factors are the speed and skill level of these players, and coaches are planning their games around these guys. Teams seem to be playing more of an attacking game because they have such great offensive players.”
The higher totals - and the fact that games posted at 6.5 are seeing the over cash at a high rate - is a welcomed sight for fans of more action and more scoring. Of the 1,230 games during the 2005-06 NHL season, 1,064 had a betting total of six goals or more. The precipitous drop that followed, with the aforementioned seven such games in 2014-15, represented a decrease of more than 99 percent - and there were zero games with totals above 5.5 last season.
Who knew that when Tampa Bay edged visiting Toronto 3-2 in that Dec. 29, 2014 contest, there wouldn’t be another 6 on the board until this past Oct. 22, when Dallas faced Columbus? Or that the Carolina-Washington game on Nov. 28, 2010 - yes, 2010 - would be the last total of 6.5 until the Dec. 17, 2016 clash between Pittsburgh and Toronto?
Now, there have been eight games in just the past month with a total of 6.5 - including three on the same day, Jan. 31 - and the over went 7-1 in those matchups.
“I don’t know how long it will last, but the longer the better,” Sindall said. “Games are so much better when you let these players go out there and do their thing, as opposed to sitting back in some tight defensive system, trying to win every game 2-1.”
When Finland dominated the 2016 World Junior Championship - winning the gold medal on home ice while posting a tournament-leading 23 goals - it became clear the NHL was about to see an influx of elite Finnish talent.
Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine has dominated that narrative thus far, already emerging as one of the game's top goal-scorers. But don't sleep on Laine's world juniors centerman, Sebastian Aho, because the latter forward is putting together one of the best rookie seasons in Carolina Hurricanes history.
Through 54 games thus far, Aho has amassed 17 goals and 32 points, second-best among Hurricanes skaters in both categories. Stretch that production out over a full 82-game season, and Aho projects to finish 2016-17 with 25 goals and 49 points.
That mark would rank him among the top five rookies of all time for his franchise - even dating back to the club's days as the Hartford Whalers.
Here's a look at where Aho's season could potentially rank among the franchise's top 10 rookie performances:
Player
Season
Production
Jeff Skinner (Hurricanes)
2010-11
63 points
Scott Young (Whalers)
1988-89
59 points
Patrick Poulin (Whalers)
1992-93
51 points
*Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes)
2016-17
49 points
Shane Willis (Hurricanes)
2000-01
44 points
Bobby Holik (Whalers)
1990-91
43 points
Erik Cole (Hurricanes)
2001-02
40 points
Brad Shaw (Whalers)
1989-90
35 points
Jody Hull (Whalers)
1988-89
34 points
Michael Nylander (Whalers)
1992-93
33 points
Longtime captain Eric Staal is notably absent from the list. The 2006 Stanley Cup champion exploded offensively in year two of his career, but posted a much more pedestrian 31 points as a rookie, already bested by Aho with plenty of games left on this season's schedule.
The 19-year-old Finn is looking even better among the all-time group when it comes to goal-scoring. If he keeps putting pucks in the net to reach that projected 25-goal plateau, his total will be the second-highest ever posted by a Canes or Whalers rookie, bested only by teammate Jeff Skinner's 31 tallies back in 2010-11.
Given Aho's recent play, that doesn't seem like much of a stretch.
After posting seven goals through his first 36 games in the big leagues, Aho opened the floodgates and racked up eight goals in 13 January tilts. He's continued that run in February, taking his recent numbers to 10 goals and 12 points over his past 17 games.
Finding the right offensive pieces to build around hasn't been easy for Carolina. In four of the past six drafts, the Hurricanes used their top pick to select a defenseman. But some of the club's more astute selections - particularly Aho, Victor Rask, and Elias Lindholm - are beginning to right the ship.
And 54 games into the finest first-year effort the club has seen since Skinner's Calder Trophy-winning performance, Aho looks poised to lead the next wave of Hurricanes scorers.
The ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets retired the number of Colin Chaulk in a pregame ceremony Saturday, and things quickly got turned a little upside down.
Chaulk's No. 91 eventually made it up to the rafters, but was definitely in need of a turnaround once it arrived.
Chaulk spent 10 seasons with the Komets, a tenure that saw the team jump from four different leagues. He captained the club for seven seasons, with his best year in coming in 2003-04 when he finished with 96 points in 71 games.
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 Sunday's slate of games beginning at 7 p.m. ET and later (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
C Elias Lindholm (51K) & RW Sebastian Aho (56K), Hurricanes (vs. Maple Leafs): The Leafs will be playing their second game in as many nights, meaning they could come out sluggish and G Curtis McElhinney will likely start between the pipes. Lindholm has 15 assists in his last 17 games, while Aho has 14 goals in his last 29. The Buds allow the fifth-most scoring chances in the NHL.
C Joe Pavelski (71K) & RW Kevin Labanc (25K), Sharks (vs. Bruins): Labanc is lucky enough to play on San Jose's top line with a couple of not-so-average Joes (Pavelski and Thornton). He has picked up four points in his last four games. NHL teams are now 3-11-4 coming off the bye week and Boston hasn't played since last Sunday.
C Tyler Johnson (35K) & RW Nikita Kucherov (70K), Lightning (at Avalanche): In a battle of singular team names, look for the Lightning to come out on top - or at least fill the net against the Avalanche. Colorado allows more goals than any other team. Even though Tampa Bay has had a poor season, Kucherov has played at a near point-per-game pace.
Bargain Plays
C Frank Vatrano (25K), Bruins (at Sharks): Vatrano has a surprisingly high floor for a minimum salary player. He is averaging close to three shots per game and over one hit per game. To top it off, he has two goals and two assists in his last two contests.
LW Josh Leivo (25K), Maple Leafs (at Hurricanes): Leivo has shined since being inserted into Toronto's lineup, recording six points in his last three games. What he lacks in skating ability he makes up with good size and a heavy shot. He is even seeing power-play time thanks to his strong play.
RW Kevin Labanc (25K), Sharks (vs. Bruins): As mentioned, Labanc is blessed with first-line real estate with one of the best playmakers of our generation in Thornton, and one of the most underrated players in the game, Pavelski.
Top Fades
G Jacob Markstrom (105K), Canucks (vs. Flyers): Markstrom has done nothing to warrant a position-leading salary, especially against a team with plenty of fire power like the Flyers.
LW James van Riemsdyk (47K), Maple Leafs (at Hurricanes): JVR is averaging nearly 1:30 less ice time than his season average over his last six games. He has picked up only one point during the stretch and his production will continue to take a hit with linemate Mitch Marner injured.
C Nathan MacKinnon (71K), Avalanche (vs. Lightning): It just doesn't make much sense to fork up 71K for MacKinnon when there are cheaper players who have been much more productive. See Auston Matthews.
Contrarian Options
G Curtis McElhinney (86K), Maple Leafs (at Hurricanes): McElhinney was roughed up in his last outing, allowing four goals on 34 shots. But in his three starts prior he was marvelous, allowing just five goals total on 111 shots.
C Ryan Getzlaf (76K), Ducks (vs. Kings): Getzlaf will surely be faded with his high salary and low floor against a tough defensive Kings squad. Yet, the veteran is always capable of a multi-point game. His 19 goals against LA are his most against any team in his career.
D Shayne Gostisbehere (43K), Flyers (at Canucks): Gostisbehere's struggles have been well documented. He was even a healthy scratch for a few games. Although, the youngster still anchors a dangerous Flyers power play facing Vancouver's 24th ranked penalty kill.
It was the first time in the franchise's 24-year history that it swept the California road trip. That performance pushed the Panthers to third in the Atlantic, holding down a playoff position with 25 games to go. The Panthers are hot, winning seven of their last eight contests.
Prior to Saturday's win, Dale Tallon, Panthers president of hockey operations, stated he'd like to add prior to the March 1 trade deadline. The good news is the Panthers have plenty of financial wiggle room, with just under $10 million in projected cap space. That leaves the team fairly flexible ahead of the deadline.
The biggest issue, quite simply, is Florida needs to score more goals. League-wide, only eight teams have tallied fewer times than the Panthers, while Florida is also the only Eastern club currently slotted in a playoff position despite a negative goal differential (minus-14).
With that in mind, here are three possibilities to help the Panthers jump-start their offense before the postseason.
Thomas Vanek
It's no secret the Panthers could use another triggerman in their offensive arsenal, and the Detroit Red Wings veteran forward provides that in spades. With the Red Wings poised to miss the postseason for the first time since 1990, expect general manager Ken Holland to begin the sell-off, and that includes Vanek.
The experienced winger has had a turnaround season with the Red Wings after the Minnesota Wild bought out his contract a year ago. Vanek has collected 36 points on the season and sits second in team scoring behind captain Henrik Zetterberg. Carrying a manageable $2.6-million cap hit, Vanek would be a cost-effective addition for the Panthers.
Patrick Sharp
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Winners know how to win, and that's what the Panthers would get with Sharp. The Dallas Stars winger has struggled through his second season in Texas, and with the Stars fighting to stay alive in the playoff race, a trade appears to be in the cards for the veteran forward.
Missing 26 games due to a concussion, Sharp has struggled to find consistency through the campaign. A change of scenery could be the perfect scenario for Sharp, while a move to the Panthers would reunite him with Tallon. The two were part of Chicago Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup win.
Johnny Oduya
Could the Panthers consider a bigger deal with the Stars and bring in Sharp plus his teammate Oduya? The veteran blue-liner brings Stanley Cup experience, having won the silver mug with the Blackhawks in both 2013 and 2015, and some added offensive presence on the back end.
Oduya has scored seven points in 36 games this season after tallying 21 a year ago. The left-shot defenseman could slot into the Panthers' bottom pairing alongside Alex Petrovic, a role currently held by Mark Pysyk. The 35-year-old Oduya carries a $3.75-million cap hit but is an unrestricted free agent at season's end, leaving the Panthers with a clean slate in the summer.
The Calgary Flames aren't winning the Stanley Cup in 2017.
This shouldn't be breaking news. Calgary has promise, but is simply not yet on the same level as the league's best, in terms of pure skill or consistency.
But the fact that the Flames don't yet have the tools to go for the ultimate prize doesn't mean a trip to the postseason would be of no use to them at all. Just look at the numbers Johnny Gaudreau posted after experiencing Calgary's 2015 playoff run.
Experience precedes growth.
After a pair of up-and-down seasons and a tumultuous start to 2016-17, the Flames are looking to take a step forward, and adding pieces at the deadline will be the straw that stirs that drink.
How they stack up
Calgary isn't in too bad a spot heading into the season's home stretch. With 62 points, the Flames currently hold a Western Conference wild-card position, with the Los Angeles Kings looking like the only club truly threatening to snag it from them.
But as has been the case for much of the Flames' recent history, they're a club trapped in the middle; not strong enough to go all the way, not bad enough to see the bottom fall out from under them.
Calgary tipped that scale last season, plummeting down the standings and earning a blue-chip prospect, Matthew Tkachuk, in the process.
This year, the Flames aren't looking for more future pieces. They're looking for progress.
It isn't as if they stand to be immediately dominated come playoff time. Sitting in a wild-card slot, the two teams they'd most likely face in the first round would be the Minnesota Wild or San Jose Sharks.
Both are strong clubs, but neither has given Calgary too much trouble this season. The Flames have won all three meetings with Minnesota in 2016-17 - the last one was a 5-1 drubbing - and they've earned victories in two of three games against the Sharks.
(Photo courtesy: Reuters)
Better than their record
The perception of the Flames' talent base took a hit during their display of mediocrity last season, but the fact remains that Calgary has plenty of quality pieces distributed throughout their lineup.
And - a welcome new addition - they boast strong scoring depth, courtesy of Mikael Backlund, Matthew Tkachuk, and Michael Frolik, who have formed one of the league's best lines. The trio has combined for 108 points thus far, and remain the second-best puck possession trio in the league.
There are holes to be filled, but it's clear at this point that the club would be better served looking to address those needs and take the next step - however small it may be - rather than standing pat and filing away 2016-17 as another year undone by misfortune.
Selling off prime pieces like Bennett won't do the franchise any good, but if there are smaller moves to be made, general manager Brad Treliving would be wise to roll the dice.
Deadline desires
So what exactly does Calgary need?
More reliable goaltending is clearly first on the list, as Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson have both brought a mixed bag of success and disappointment this season. Marc-Andre Fleury remains a viable option for Calgary, provided the ask isn't absurdly high, and adding the veteran could allow the Flames to flip one of their current netminders for another piece.
Bringing in another top-nine forward wouldn't hurt either, as offseason acquisition Troy Brouwer hasn't yet lived up to expectations in Calgary. New York Rangers winger Brandon Pirri could be an affordable option, though there are plenty of bigger fish if Treliving wants to aim higher.
A new defensive partner for Brodie could also be of use, as the club has seen him take a step back this season while spending most of his time with Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland - his former partner Giordano now paired with Hamilton. There isn't a need to reach for Kevin Shattenkirk, but Cody Franson may be a good fit.
This won't be the year that catapults the Flames back to the top of the pile. But if Treliving is looking for genuine progress, swinging a few astute deals at the deadline to ensure his club makes the playoffs seems the best bet.
There's no better learning experience than the grind of the postseason, and it's time for the Flames to continue their education.
