Auston Matthews stole the show with two goals and an assist in his return to the lineup Wednesday night, but an unlikely source provided another crucial helper that didn't show up in the boxscore.
"Third assist!" Matthews joked postgame to reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters. "Put it on the scoresheet. That was unbelievable. The second that puck hit Mitch's stick (Hastings) had (a new stick) right over my head ready for him."
Here's a look at how it unfolded:
Mitch Marner shows love to the Leafs equipment manager for the assist on his assist pic.twitter.com/X86m2niCvO
On this monster episode, John is joined by TSN's Travis Yost and the Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan to break down the latest headlines and trends.
Topics include:
The Jeff Skinner and David Pastrnak goal explosions
Erik Karlsson, the Senators, and the Sharks
Life in Washington in the post-Trotz era
Should the Capitals consider resting Alex Ovechkin?
Fletcher's name was linked to the Flyers role almost immediately after Philadelphia dismissed former general manager Ron Hextall on Monday. He is the frontrunner at this point, McKenzie adds.
Fletcher joined the Devils' brass as a senior advisor in June after being dismissed from his nine-year tenure as general manager of the Minnesota Wild.
In the second edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings, three blue-liners under the age of 25 enter the fold. You can read October's rankings here.
ATOI = Average time on ice SCF% = Percentage of scoring chances generated while player was on the ice at 5-on-5 HDCF% = Percentage of high-danger scoring chances generated while player was on the ice at 5-on-5
5. Kris Letang, Penguins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
SCF%
HDCF%
22
5
15
20
25:58
55.2
55.2
The Pittsburgh Penguins may be enduring a rough patch, but Letang is playing some of the best hockey of his career. He's the only player on this list with more takeaways (25) than giveaways (19) - an impressive feat considering how often he carries the puck.
4. Matt Dumba, Wild
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
SCF%
HDCF%
24
10
8
18
24:00
56.2
56.4
The Minnesota Wild are often labeled as a good team that lacks a superstar talent, but that statement may need revising after Dumba's hot start. The 24-year-old leads all defensemen in goals, which is no fluke considering he ranks fourth among blue-liners in shots, and has a wicked slapper.
3. Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs
Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
SCF%
HDCF%
25
9
18
27
22:04
50.5
51.0
Rielly enjoyed a breakout, 52-point season a year ago, but he's taken his game to another level through the first two months of the 2018-19 campaign. He's playing with confidence, jumping in on the rush with every appropriate opportunity he gets, and finishing his chances. He's also been strong defensively despite skating with Ron Hainsey, who's ill-suited for a top-pairing role at this point in his career.
2. Brent Burns, Sharks
David Becker / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
SCF%
HDCF%
25
3
22
25
23:48
55.6
54.9
Erik Karlsson is beginning to round into form after a slow start, but Burns has been the San Jose Sharks' best defenseman - and overall player - since the get-go this year. One of the biggest knocks on Burns' game was the amount of turnovers he committed, but he's averaging one less giveaway every two games than he did the past couple seasons.
1. Thomas Chabot, Senators
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
SCF%
HDCF%
25
7
22
29
23:51
48.0
47.3
Erik who? Chabot's outstanding play has helped mend the broken hearts of Ottawa Senators fans still upset over the loss of a franchise icon. Twenty of Chabot's 29 points have come at 5-on-5, which is six more than the next defenseman. The 21-year-old's start is remarkable considering the lack of surrounding talent and experience.
It didn't take long for Dylan Strome to show the hockey world that he can still be a valuable NHL player.
Strome was a force in his Chicago Blackhawks debut, scoring once and adding an assist in Tuesday's 8-3 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. While the game result wasn't what Chicago fans wanted, they couldn't have been much happier with how Strome performed just two days after coming to the Windy City in a three-player deal with the Arizona Coyotes.
Despite skepticism in some circles, the distinct possibility remains that Strome will not only stick in the NHL but become a valuable part of a team. It’s not a given; it will take dedication on his part, and patience on the part of his new organization.
But the window isn’t closed, as Tuesday emphatically revealed.
Three-plus years after drafting him third overall, the Coyotes closed a difficult chapter for Strome, who had just 16 points in 48 games and spent more time in the minors than he did in the NHL.
We could rehash his entire Coyotes tenure, but there are three particularly noteworthy things to consider about Strome's fortunes thus far:
Strome's most common Coyotes linemates this season were Nick Cousins and Lawson Crouse. No knock on those two, but Strome’s ideal style of play is a far cry from the grit-and-energy mindset of an NHL fourth line. Young skilled players don’t often succeed in a bottom-six role when they’re used to creating offense. (Much like last season, he didn’t see any consistent line partnerships, but those two names showed up more often than others.)
His development was harmed by the CHL-NHL agreement that allows teams to keep players in major juniors until their 20-year-old season. Strome would have benefitted from adjusting to the AHL's tougher style of play and higher pace a year or two earlier, rather than being allowed to run roughshod over the OHL. He had 75 points in just 35 games in his final junior season. That looks great on paper, and the Erie Otters most certainly appreciated his contribution to their OHL title. But how much did Strome actually learn from that experience that he could carry to the NHL?
Strome isn’t entirely innocent, either. Valid criticisms of his play include a lack of drive in specific situations. It could be explained to an extent by Strome playing out of his comfort zone and his frustration at a lack of top-six opportunities. Whether or not this contributed to his stagnant development, these excuses simply won't fly at the NHL level.
With all that in mind, the only question that matters now is this: what does Strome bring to the Blackhawks?
Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / Getty
The trade is a risk on Chicago’s part, for sure, but that risk is mitigated in part due to Strome's impressive skill set. He's an incredibly intelligent player with great hands. His high hockey IQ and fantastic vision allow him to read the ice - knowing what his options are and which teammate he needs to support at a given moment - and identifying the dangerous areas to shoot or make plays.
But none of that will matter if Strome can't improve his skating.
While Strome has the raw skill to succeed at the top level, he needs to be able to use his talents at an ever-increasing NHL speed. He's the kind of player who likes to slow the game down for himself, but he must learn to do that mentally while improving his skating speed. When he attempts to slow down proceedings, opponents often take advantage and recover the puck.
He also needs to improve his overall stamina. One way he can help himself out is by building up his lower-body strength. Regular criticism suggests that Strome gets bodied by other players; he gets knocked off the puck; he doesn’t battle enough. Adding strength in his lower half would give him a better, lower center of gravity. That doesn’t just make him harder to push around - it gives his skating more power.
To get up to NHL speed, a player needs a consistent run of games. Strome has yet to play even half a season at the NHL level. Provided he does the work to remain on the Blackhawks’ roster and out of the press box all season (and he should), that could go a long way toward improving his consistency. His AHL results are promising, as he sat just above a point per game last season.
Strome didn’t seem out of place in his first game with the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. While there were moments when it was clear that his skating was behind some of his teammates, he never fell behind the pace of play in a way that would’ve made him a liability. He looked a bit coltish - as if his legs were too long for his body and he was still unsure how to move them properly - but overall, he didn’t look out of place.
The Blackhawks have set lofty expectations for Strome. General manager Stan Bowman’s wish is for him to be their No. 2 center. Bowman knows Chicago needs to rebuild its depth if it wants to get another Stanley Cup run out of the core of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Corey Crawford. Bowman believes Strome can help get them there.
"Obviously, with Dylan, we have a need at center ice and he has that profile of being a dominant player at every level he's been in," Bowman told team insider Chris Wescott. "Even last season in the American League, to average over a point per game in the AHL is pretty impressive. You look at all of our guys who have come through our system, to make it to Chicago, they weren't able to do that at that age.
"He had a really good season last year, he just didn't get a lot of NHL time. This year, he's working his way up. I think in the minutes he's had, he's done pretty well. He wasn't in a higher profile (spot), they've got a lot of good, young forwards in Arizona. I think sometimes it's just a situational thing where guys might get a good opportunity here that they didn't have elsewhere."
Strome found himself on the second line Tuesday, reuniting with former Erie Otters teammate Alex DeBrincat in a savvy move by head coach Jeremy Colliton. The players' skill sets complement one another well; DeBrincat’s hockey sense is as high as Strome’s, and he has a dangerous shot.
While it’s not as easy to recreate juniors magic at the NHL level, these two don’t just have chemistry - they’re intimately familiar with one another’s playing style. And it was only fitting that DeBrincat was partly responsible for Strome's first goal as a Blackhawk, leading the rush that led to Strome banging in a loose puck from in close:
The 2018-19 season was always going to be a "prove-it" year for Strome, no matter where he played. Now, with the trade behind him and opportunity ahead, he has even more reason to put his best skate forward. He’ll need the Blackhawks to partner with him, but his career is in his hands, perhaps now more than ever.
Strome looked aggressive and engaged for the majority of the contest against the Golden Knights. And while it's only one game, it's certainly a positive start to Strome's next chapter. If he continues to put in the work and remains in a position to succeed, that chapter could very well see him grow into the player scouts still believe he can be.
The Maple Leafs went 9-5-0 during the 14-game stretch. Despite his prolonged absence, Matthews sits tied for second on the club with 10 goals, and fifth with 16 points.
Fourth-line center Frederik Gauthier was pushed out of the lineup with Matthews' return.
Home-ice advantage doesn't always make the difference in hockey, but a truly intimidating atmosphere can have a major impact, especially come playoff time.
Here are the three most difficult arenas to play in around the NHL:
Bridgestone Arena
John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty
The Nashville Predators' home rink is without a doubt the toughest barn in the league for opposing clubs to visit.
A raucous, fun-loving crowd fills the building for every home game, and whether they're chanting "it's all your fault" at visiting goaltenders at a deafening volume or throwing catfish on the ice, the Music City faithful do everything they can to make it an unpleasant experience for the other team.
If there was any doubt about Bridgestone Arena's status, it was named the toughest building to play in by 61 of the NHL's best players in a recent poll.
Bell MTS Place
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
Anyone who watched the Winnipeg Jets' postseason run last spring will agree that their home facility belongs on this list.
The scene at Bell MTS Place during the Jets' drive to the Western Conference Final was consistently a sight to behold, with the "White Out" painting the capacity crowd in Winnipeg's colors and the decibel level cranked up to extreme proportions.
Jets fans are among the most passionate in the NHL. The fact that Winnipeg is now also among the league's most competitive clubs gives its fans even more incentive to create an intimidating setting, even during the regular season.
Amalie Arena
Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Much like the other two rinks listed here, the Tampa Bay Lightning's abode is energized by a perennially successful team, and that's helped make it one of the toughest destinations in the league.
These days, it's rare to watch a game at Amalie Arena and not witness an electric atmosphere, both literally and figuratively. After all, the building uses actual Tesla coils to fire up the fans, and to say it works would be an understatement.
Given the talent it boasts on the ice, it's no surprise Tampa Bay has one of the best home records in the NHL, nor is it a shock the Lightning are among the leaders in home attendance. That boisterous crowd and some dynamic in-game effects make the building one of the league's most imposing.
Nielsen, 22, was drafted in the third round by the Maple Leafs in 2015 and has registered three assists in eight games this season for the AHL's Toronto Marlies. He's a left-handed shot and brings considerable size to the table, coming in at 6-foot-4, 228 lbs.
Klimchuk has appeared in just one NHL game since being drafted 28th overall by the Flames in 2013. The left-winger has spent this season in the minors, where he's nabbed three goals and five assists.
