Senators’ Batherson out at least 2 months with ankle sprain

Drake Batherson is expected to miss at least two months with a high ankle sprain after taking a controversial hit from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell during Tuesday night's contest, Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith announced Thursday.

Dell sent the 23-year-old forward crashing into the boards with a lowered shoulder during the first period of the Senators' 5-0 victory. The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Dell for three games on Wednesday.

Smith said that despite the setback, Batherson is in good spirits.

"He's just that kind of kid, and you're going to miss that around the room win, lose, or draw," Smith said to the media Thursday. "His attitude, he's coming around in the league, the way he can make plays. We're going to miss him in all areas."

Batherson leads the Senators with 34 points in 31 games. He was slated to represent Ottawa in the All-Star Game next month before the injury.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will fill his spot on the Atlantic Division squad.

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Montembeault praises Zegras’ Michigan goal: ‘Have to tip your cap to him’

Upon his return from a wrist injury, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault immediately gave up a goal of the year candidate to Anaheim Ducks rookie Trevor Zegras.

But even Montembeault had to respect Zegras' sensational effort.

"I hadn't played in a week and only had one practice, so I would have liked to have had a different type of shot as a first shot," Montembeault said postgame, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "But it was a really nice goal, have to tip your cap to him."

Zegras stunned the Canadiens by scoring a lacrosse-style Michigan goal early in the second period. The move typically involves a player picking the puck up while stationed behind the net, but Zegras did it casually in stride.

This is Zegras' second jaw-dropping play this season. Earlier this campaign, he went viral for making an alley-oop pass from behind the net, which teammate Sonny Milano batted in out of midair.

Zegras joked postgame that he was trying to deflate the non-existent crowd at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens are one of the only NHL teams that currently has no fans in the stands due to local COVID-19 restrictions.

"Honestly, I just tried to take the crowd out of it. ... (The) atmosphere was pretty crazy tonight," Zegras said. "It was one of those things to try to get the crowd out of it, for sure."

Montembeault entered the game in relief of Cayden Primeau, who allowed three goals on nine shots. Despite losing 5-4, Montembeault laughed at the fact that he'll probably have to relive the goal plenty of times in the coming days.

"I'm going to see myself on TSN or ESPN for a week, so not happy about that," Montembeault said. "But it was a great move."

Zegras has now tallied 12 goals and 20 assists in 40 contests this season, firmly entrenching himself in the Calder Trophy conversation.

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Rangers coach: Fox day-to-day with ‘minor’ upper-body injury

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox is day-to-day after suffering an upper-body injury Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Gerard Gallant said postgame, according to the New York Post's Mollie Walker.

Gallant added he's "sure it's a minor injury."

Fox left the contest early in the third period and didn't return after getting pinned against the boards by Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner is having another sensational season, as he leads all NHL defensemen with 47 points in 44 games.

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Report: Oilers to sign Evander Kane

The Edmonton Oilers are signing forward Evander Kane to a contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The deal will contain a $750,000 salary, a $625,000 signing bonus, an approximate cap hit of $2.1 million, and a full no-movement clause, Friedman added.

The agreement between Kane and the Oilers is only verbal at this point, as the contract still needs to be signed, per TSN's Darren Dreger.

Kane was suspended 21 games earlier this season for violating the NHL/NHLPA's COVID-19 protocol. His previous contract with the San Jose Sharks was then terminated "for breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of AHL COVID-19 protocols."

More to come.

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Former Canucks forward Virtanen charged with sexual assault

The Vancouver Police Department charged former Canucks forward Jake Virtanen with one count of sexual assault Thursday following an investigation.

Virtanen is not currently in custody.

He was named in a lawsuit last May after a woman, now 23, came forward regarding an incident that allegedly occurred in 2017. The lawsuit states Virtanen took the woman to a Vancouver hotel and assaulted her despite her pleas for him to stop.

Virtanen denied the allegations in June.

The Canucks placed Virtanen on leave after the allegations surfaced. He was then bought out and joined Spartak Moscow of the KHL for the 2021-22 season.

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Report: Coyotes in advanced talks to share 5,000-seat rink with Arizona State

The Arizona Coyotes are in advanced discussions with Arizona State's hockey program about using the school's new multipurpose arena as a temporary home, sources told Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.

The Coyotes would use the 5,000-seat rink for all home games while they await approval and construction of a proposed permanent arena in Tempe. The franchise is reportedly negotiating a three-year deal with the Sun Devils featuring an option for a fourth season.

Due to NCAA rules, the Coyotes would not be allowed to use ASU's hockey areas, meaning they'd have to build their own. That could cost between $15 million and $20 million, one source told Morgan.

Asked whether the Coyotes would receive league approval to play in a venue with so few seats, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, "(It) depends on the totality of circumstances, but I wouldn't rule it out."

The Coyotes released the following statement:

"As we have said many times, we are completely committed to building our future in Arizona. As part of that process, we are excited to be exploring some great temporary arena options here before we move in to a new permanent home in the Valley."

In August, the city of Glendale said that it will terminate the Coyotes' lease agreement for Gila River Arena, where the franchise has played since 2003-04, at the end of this season. In December, Glendale threatened to lock the team out of the arena unless the franchise paid outstanding state and city tax balances.

The Coyotes filed their bid for a new facility in September, but the evaluation process is ongoing. ASU's new arena is set to be completed in the fall.

Both NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the franchise itself have publicly shut down relocation rumors amid the arena drama this season.

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NHL Thursday player props: 3 volume shooters to target

We have 20 teams in action this evening, which means there's no shortage of shot props.

Let's take a closer look at three of the totals that stand out.

Tyler Toffoli over 2.5 shots (-125)

Tyler Toffoli has been a shooting machine since he returned to the lineup. He's recorded at least three shots in four consecutive games, all of which were on the road against good teams. His hits came against the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild. That's a pretty good crop of clubs to generate consistent volume against.

Now Toffoli finds himself back on home soil - where he'll get softer matchups - against an Anaheim Ducks side that's given up a lot of late.

They are 22nd in five-on-five shots against per 60 over the last 10 games and should be a little fatigued following an overtime game Wednesday night in Toronto.

Victor Hedman over 2.5 shots (-118)

Victor Hedman is 34 clear of Steven Stamkos for the team lead in shot attempts this season. Clearly, he puts a lot of rubber toward the net.

There are a couple of things working in his favor in this game. For one, the New Jersey Devils concede a lot of shots to defensemen. Only six teams give up more volume to defenders on a per game basis.

Nikita Kucherov's absence is also a bonus. Hedman's volume dropped when Kucherov returned, as he wasn't relied upon as heavily to contribute offensively. With Kucherov in COVID protocol, there's opportunity for Hedman to get more involved.

Chris Kreider over 2.5 shots (-139)

Chris Kreider is firing on all cylinders right now. He's scored in six consecutive games and registered at least three shots in seven of the last 10, falling just one short in all three exceptions.

He has piled up 42 shots on target and 59 attempts in that time, both of which lead the team.

Kreider now draws a mouth-watering matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They have conceded more five-on-five shots per 60 than all but the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens over the last 10 games. They're also in the latter half of a back-to-back. I really don't see much reason to expect the screws to be tightened in this game.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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Senators sign Holden to 1-year, $1.3M extension

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Nick Holden to a one-year contract extension worth $1.3 million, the team announced Thursday.

"Nick has seamlessly integrated himself into our lineup and into our dressing room," general manager Pierre Dorion said in a statement. "His veteran presence and leadership qualities have been instrumental in helping our young group this season, while his strong defensive play and accountability on the ice has really helped with the maturity of our young defensive core."

The Senators acquired Holden from the Vegas Golden Knights this past summer in a trade that sent Evgenii Dadonov to Vegas.

The 34-year-old has played 543 NHL games split between the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Golden Knights, and Senators. He's one of three Ottawa defensemen under contract for next season, along with Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub.

Holden's notched four points in 30 games this season while averaging over 19 minutes per contest.

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