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Lightning sign 2017 first-rounder Foote

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed 2017 first-round pick Cal Foote to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Sunday.

Selected 14th overall in last year's draft, the defenseman has spent the past three seasons with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets. This year, his offensive game reached the next level, as he's tallied 70 points through 60 games.

Foote is the son of former Colorado Avalanche blue-liner Adam Foote. Cal's brother, Nolan, is a projected top pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

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McDavid named NHL’s 1st star for March as Hart Trophy race intensifies

Connor McDavid, Brad Marchand, and John Gibson each had a memorable month of March.

McDavid, the NHL's first star of the month, recorded 13 goals and 15 assists across 16 games, propelling him to first place in the Art Ross Trophy race as the NHL's top scorer. The Edmonton Oilers' captain has tallied 103 points on the season, good for a six-point lead over Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov.

Marchand was named the NHL's second star of the month after notching 26 points in 15 games. That included a five-point outing against the Detroit Red Wings in which Marchand notched a hat trick. The Boston Bruins winger has 84 points in 63 games this season.

In 13 March appearances, Gibson recorded nine wins alongside a .931 save percentage and three shutouts. The Anaheim Ducks goaltender has posted a 31-18-7 showing on the season, while his .926 save rate ranks fifth in the NHL.

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Bruins’ Riley Nash needed more than 40 stitches after taking puck to ear

Hockey players are tough.

While facing the Florida Panthers on Saturday, an errant point shot left Boston Bruins forward Riley Nash requiring more than 40 stitches after taking a puck to the ear.

"He's in a lot of discomfort, so he's out today," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters prior to Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. "Going forward, hopefully there is no more damage than that. Right now, he would have a tough time getting his helmet on his head."

The possibility remains that Nash could join the team for its upcoming Florida road trip.

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Blue Jackets’ Cole fined $5K for dangerous trip

Ian Cole will need to pay the piper.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has been assessed a $5,000 fine - the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement - as a result of a dangerous trip on Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter.

The play occurred in Saturday's contest between the Blue Jackets and Canucks. Cole received a two-minute minor for the infraction.

Cole has faced the Department of Player Safety once previously, when he was suspended for three games in 2012 following an illegal check to the head.

The Blue Jackets acquired Cole from the Ottawa Senators at this year's trade deadline.

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Blue Jackets’ Cole fined $5K for dangerous trip

Ian Cole will need to pay the piper.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has been assessed a $5,000 fine - the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement - as a result of a dangerous trip on Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter.

The play occurred in Saturday's contest between the Blue Jackets and Canucks. Cole received a two-minute minor for the infraction.

Cole has faced the Department of Player Safety once previously, when he was suspended for three games in 2012 following an illegal check to the head.

The Blue Jackets acquired Cole from the Ottawa Senators at this year's trade deadline.

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Playoff percentages: Devils inching closer to postseason berth

Through the remainder of the regular season, we'll take a look at how the night's action impacts the playoff races, highlighting which teams' postseason odds went up or down significantly.

Eastern Conference

A win by the New Jersey Devils over the New York Islanders - combined with the Florida Panthers' loss to the Boston Bruins - has made for a clearer playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

The Panthers have won just two of their past six, and it's not about to get any easier, as three of their final five opponents are postseason contenders. One advantage, however, is that four of the contests will come on home ice.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoff race Saturday with a loss to the New York Rangers. The Hurricanes have not qualified for the postseason since 2009.

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Devils 4-3 W vs. NYI 90.8% +15.1%
Flyers Off 97.3% +1.3%
Blue Jackets 5-4 L (OT) vs. VAN 99.3% +0.5%
Panthers 5-1 L vs. BOS 12.6% -17.1%

Western Conference

The sidelines were the place to be Saturday, as all of the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings had the night off but still saw their respective playoff chances take a decent upswing.

At the other end of the spectrum, a shellacking from the 29th-place Arizona Coyotes will make for an interesting next few days for the St. Louis Blues. The Blues hold the second wild-card spot in the West, ahead of the Avalanche, but only by means of a tiebreaker. The two sides close out the season against each other on April 7.

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Avalanche Off 58.8% +8.6%
Ducks Off 83.6% +4.1%
Kings Off 92.5% +3.2%
Sharks 3-2 L vs. VGK 99.9% 0%
Wild 4-1 L vs. DAL 98.5% -0.5%
Blues 6-0 L vs. ARI 66.6% -15.3%

To see percentages for the entire NHL, visit Sports Club Stats.

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Golden Knights clinch Pacific Division crown with win over Sharks

The Vegas Golden Knights are the 2018 Pacific Division champions, as their victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night clinched the title.

Vegas has easily been the best story of this NHL season, making the playoffs, taking the division crown, and winning 50 games in its innagural season that has been nothing short of historic.

With the victory Saturday, the Knights move to a sensational 107 points, improving their stellar home record to 29-10-2.

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Report: Wild fear Suter suffered broken fibula in loss to Stars

Things are going from bad to worse for the Minnesota Wild, as the team fears defenseman Ryan Suter suffered a broken right fibula during Saturday's loss to the Dallas Stars, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Suter went into the end-boards awkwardly after taking a hit from Stars forward Remi Elie, seemingly twisting his leg and ankle in the process. He was helped off the ice and did not return.

"I got no update. I guess we'll know Monday," head coach Bruce Boudreau said postgame. "Suter doesn't get hurt often so when he goes off like that you worry."

The 33-year-old veteran is a crucial piece of Minnesota's blue line, registering six goals, 45 assists, and an irreplaceable 26:54 minutes a night heading into Saturday. And with fellow top-four defenseman Jared Spurgeon also dealing with an injury, Suter's potential loss could be crippling for a Wild club destined for the postseason.

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Sabres’ Housley: Antipin ‘doing well’ after being stretchered off

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin is "doing well" after he was stretchered off the ice Saturday following a hit from behind into the boards from Scott Hartnell, head coach Phil Housley told reporters postgame, according to NHL.com's Robby Stanley.

Housley added that Antipin did go to the hospital, though he hasn't spoken to team doctors yet regarding the severity of his injury.

After the hit, Antipin was motionless on the ice before he was stretchered off.

"That's scary," Sabres forward Sam Reinhart told WGR's Brian Koziol postgame. "There was a reason why you could hear a pin drop in there for like 10 minutes. Hopefully, he can recover soon."

Housley wouldn't comment as to whether he thought the hit was dirty but is "sure the NHL will look at it," per Koziol.

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Watch: Knights retire No. 58 in honor of shooting victims

The Golden Knights continue to be a beacon of positivity for the Las Vegas community following the deadly mass shooting that claimed 58 lives in October.

On Saturday, ahead of their major Pacific Division clash against the San Jose Sharks, the Knights retired the first number in franchise history. The No. 58 will forever hang from the rafters at T-Mobile Arena in honor of those who died.

Vegas will clinch the Pacific title with one point against the Sharks.

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