The Los Angeles Kings have traded defenseman Alec Martinez to the Vegas Golden Knights, reports TSN's Frank Seravalli.

L.A. acquired a second-round pick in both 2020 and 2021 in return, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Martinez, 32, is under contract through the 2020-21 season and carries an annual cap hit of $4 million.

The 6-foot-1 rearguard leads the Kings in blocked shots (85) and ranks second in average ice time (21:31 per game). He's contributed one goal and eight points through 41 contests.

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We're coming off our first losing night in a while after finishing 1-2 on Tuesday, though we hit on our best bet and also our trend of the night, which would have taken you to 2-2 if you followed (I didn't).

Let's return to winning ways on Wednesday.

GOATs and scapegoats

Andrei Svechnikov is the gift that keeps on giving. We've backed the Carolina Hurricanes several times in this space, and he's produced some big goals for us. Last night was no different, with Svechnikov potting the game-winner in Nashville.

He came through on Tuesday, unlike the Toronto Maple Leafs' or Buffalo Sabres' defense.

Wednesday bets

New York Rangers/Chicago Blackhawks under 6.5 (-110)

This is an awfully high total that's based more off of both team's perceived style and not actual results. The Rangers have won five straight on the road, allowing just seven goals over those games. They're playing great outside of New York, and the Blackhawks are similarly excelling on the road.

However, Chicago is in the midst of a 6-11 run at home while scoring two or fewer goals in six of the team's last eight contests at the United Center. Getting 6.5 is a gift.

New York Islanders/Colorado Avalanche under 5.5 (+100)

It's been a miserable week for the Islanders, who probably can't wait to return home. They're 0-3 on their current western road trip while being outscored 8-1. That moves the Islanders to 1-8 in their last nine road games against Western Conference teams, a stretch when they've scored just nine goals. Not coincidentally, the under is 8-1 in those games.

Pavel Francouz will start again for the Avalanche after allowing just one goal in a 1-0 loss when these teams met in New York last month. All signs point to another defensive struggle here.

Minnesota Wild/Vancouver Canucks over 5.5 (-110)

I was really tempted to take the Wild at plus-money in this spot, but sticking with the theme of the day, let's look at the total instead.

Minnesota is struggling defensively on the road while allowing four-plus goals in six of its last nine games, and we know the Canucks can score. The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings between these clubs north of the border.

The Wild hit the road for the first time in close to two weeks here, and getting away from home should benefit a desperate team fighting for its playoff life. Look for Minnesota's offense to bounce back after the San Jose Sharks shut out the Wild on Saturday.

Best bet

Florida Panthers/Anaheim Ducks over 6 (-120)

Give me this over all day and twice on Sundays. The Panthers have allowed three-plus goals in seven of their last eight road games, and they've scored four-plus goals in six of their last seven away clashes against Western Conference squads. In fact, Florida's last seven nonconference road games have all gone over the total, with an average of 8.4 goals scored.

The Ducks are on their own 5-1 run to the over on home ice while giving up four-plus goals in four of their last six in Anaheim. They've scored three-plus goals in seven of their nine home games against Eastern Conference teams this season, and have notched three-plus markers in five straight matchups against Florida, including in a 5-4 away loss to the Panthers earlier this season.

Trend of the night

The Arizona Coyotes have lost 12 straight games against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena.

There were a number of pretty overwhelming trends to pick from today, but this one undoubtedly takes the cake. The Coyotes last won in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2012. Arizona has also lost eight of its last nine on the road, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those games. Laying -160 might be a lot, but the Stars are certainly in play tonight.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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The Edmonton Oilers promoted defenseman Evan Bouchard from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors and placed fellow rearguard Oscar Klefbom on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.

Klefbom, 26, is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with a shoulder injury.

Bouchard won't be available Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, but is expected to see game action soon, according to head coach Dave Tippett, per the team.

The 20-year-old Bouchard is considered the Oilers' top defense prospect. He's contributed seven goals and 33 points through 50 games with Bakersfield this season.

Bouchard also mustered one goal in a seven-game stint with the Oilers during 2018-19. The Ontario native was selected 10th overall by Edmonton at the 2018 NHL Draft.

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Andreas Johnsson's season is officially over.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is expected to be sidelined six months after undergoing successful knee surgery Wednesday, the club announced.

Johnsson suffered the injury during his team's 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday after awkwardly colliding with teammate Kasperi Kapanen.

The 25-year-old winger, who missed 15 games earlier this season with a separate leg injury, contributed eight goals and 21 points in 43 games.

Toronto traded for a depth forward with NHL experience Wednesday, acquiring center Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers in exchange for winger Mason Marchment.

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With the trade deadline less than a week away, theScore's NHL editors debate some hypothetical deals. In this exercise, each member of the team - Josh Wegman, Josh Gold-Smith, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Brandon Maron - submitted a trade for debate, with the other editors voting on the proposal. Wegman provided the analysis for each swap.

Leafs add blue-line help

Submitted by Teague

Leafs receive: D Matt Dumba, F Ryan Hartman

Wild receive: F Kasperi Kapanen, F Jeremy Bracco, 2020 2nd-round pick

The Leafs finally get a right-handed defenseman, but Dumba isn't without his flaws. Though the 25-year-old has a heavy shot, his production has dried up this season and his isolated impact at five-on-five over the last four seasons remains an area of concern.

As illustrated in the chart below, Dumba has consistently allowed opponents to fire an above-average number of shots from traditionally high-danger areas over the past four seasons. Also, his overall impact in the offensive zone appears somewhat below par.

It's entirely possible Dumba could flourish playing for an offensive juggernaut like Toronto, especially with Morgan Rielly as his potential partner when the latter returns from injury. Dumba also has term locked in at $6 million a season through 2022-23.

One of the two protection formats for the 2021 expansion draft involves shielding three defensemen, so it wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota wanted to move someone in its top four. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon aren't going anywhere, which leaves either Dumba or Jonas Brodin.

The speedy Kapanen gives Minnesota a much-needed right-handed shot up front, and someone who could potentially excel with more ice time. He had 44 points a year ago and is on pace for a similar mark despite playing a third-line role. Toronto would miss the offensive depth he provides, but the addition of Hartman would help ease that blow.

Bracco, 22, has lost much of his prospect shine this season, but he's just a year removed from a 79-point season in the AHL.

Minnesota may want to hold off on moving Dumba until next season so he can restore some of his trade value, but this offer from Toronto would certainly give GM Bill Guerin lots to think about.

Avs, Hawks pull off blockbuster

Submitted by Wegman

Avalanche receive: G Robin Lehner, F Brandon Saad

Blackhawks receive: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick (becomes 2nd if Lehner re-signs), F Tyson Jost, D Conor Timmins

Does Avalanche GM Joe Sakic really want to ride or die with Pavel Francouz as his netminder if Philipp Grubauer is out longer than expected? As good as Francouz has been, the answer is probably no. Even if Grubauer returns soon, he's only been mediocre this season. An upgrade would be worthwhile for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and Lehner is one of the league's best goalies - he's just been stuck behind an awful defensive team in Chicago.

The Blackhawks may want to re-sign Lehner given that he's the better of their two goalies on expiring deals. With this move, they'd still have a chance to bring him back this summer, and if not, they'll get a better draft pick.

Saad would give Colorado an effective, middle-six forward. He has 18 goals in 47 games while posting some strong underlying numbers. The price tag for the 27-year-old is high because he has an additional year left on his contract, but the Avs could use the secondary scoring.

It's worth it for Chicago to part ways with Saad based on the return package. He's essentially replaced by Jost, who hasn't found his scoring touch in the pros yet. Timmins was picked 32nd overall in 2017 and would give the Hawks some much-needed youth on the blue line.

Oilers snag Athanasiou

Submitted by O'Leary

Oilers receive: F Andreas Athanasiou (Detroit retains 50% of Athanasiou's cap hit)

Red Wings receive: F Jesse Puljujarvi (RFA), 2020 2nd-round pick

Athanasiou is having a bad season, but who on the Red Wings isn't? The 25-year-old scored 30 goals a year ago and will be a restricted free agent at season's end. He can absolutely fly and would fit on one of Edmonton's top two lines with ease. There's familiarity too, as Oilers GM Ken Holland drafted Athanasiou in 2012.

Would this be enough for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to part ways with Athanasiou? It would depend on how much he values Puljujarvi. The 21-year-old has yet to prove he's a legitimate NHL player, but he's excelled overseas this season and is still oozing with upside. Given Puljujarvi's uncertainty, Yzerman may require a first-rounder to part with Athanasiou while he's still under club control.

Pageau heads south

Submitted by Maron

Stars receive: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Senators receive: 2020 1st-round pick, D Julius Honka

Pageau is the best rental center available, and he's frankly one of the only quality pivots on the open market. He's going to be in demand - and not just because he's already notched 20 goals this season - but he's been a very reliable defensive center his entire career, capable of producing offense in spurts.

Pageau's career numbers - both basic stats and analytics - are similar to those of Kevin Hayes, who was dealt for a first-round pick, a conditional fourth-round pick, and Brendan Lemieux at last year's deadline.

Pageau would be a nice fit on the defensive-minded Stars, who could use another center on their quest for a Stanley Cup. Giving up what's expected to be a late first-round pick, along with Honka - an unsigned RFA playing overseas who had demanded a trade - seems more than manageable.

The Sens would gladly take another first-rounder and a young defenseman with some upside.

Bruins land Kovalchuk

Submitted by Gold-Smith

Bruins receive: F Ilya Kovalchuk

Canadiens receive: 2020 conditional third-round pick (becomes a second if Boston makes Eastern Conference Final)

Last season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney added Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson before the deadline to help the club's forward depth without surrendering a first-rounder. Coyle remains with the club, but Johansson is gone and was never replaced. What will Sweeney do this year?

Boston is in dire need of an upgrade to its second line. Karson Kuhlman, who has just one goal this season, currently owns a top-six forward role. Kovalchuk has cooled off a bit lately, but he'd still be a major upgrade over Kuhlman at a reasonable cost.

The Canadiens could hang on to Kovalchuk to try and re-sign the veteran forward. However, considering they got him for virtually nothing, it'd be smart for them to try to acquire whatever assets they could for him, and then potentially attempt to bring him back this summer.

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Like clockwork, the hockey world asks itself the same question every February: Is this the year most notable trade chips change hands before TV networks begin their extensive NHL deadline-day coverage?

Usually, as the deadline comes into focus, the answer is an emphatic "no." This year, however, a busy 48 hours have made "yes" a distinct possibility.

Six trades were completed between Sunday evening and Tuesday afternoon, with a seventh trade - Kings defenseman Alec Martinez to Vegas - reportedly imminent.

To recap the finalized swaps: Devils players Blake Coleman and Andy Greene have new homes in Tampa and Long Island, respectively; Kings forward Tyler Toffoli has been moved to Vancouver; and a trio of solid rental defensemen - Canadiens blue-liner Marco Scandella, Sharks rearguard Brenden Dillon, and Senators defenseman Dylan DeMelo - have been shipped to St. Louis, Washington, and Winnipeg, respectively.

Let's unpack the flurry of activity and reassess the pre-deadline landscape.

Western bubble teams beefing up

Seven teams enter Wednesday sitting within three points of the Western Conference's playoff cut line, with only five postseason spots realistically up for grabs. Of those seven teams, three have taken matters into their own hands and traded for a veteran NHLer in recent days.

The Canucks, who acquired Toffoli from L.A. on Monday in exchange for forward Tim Schaller, the rights to prospect Tyler Madden, a second-round pick, and a conditional fourth-round pick, have thrown caution to the wind. Instead of standing pat or selling assets in light of major injury news (forwards Brock Boeser, Josh Leivo, and Micheal Ferland are all out for the rest of the regular season) GM Jim Benning doubled down by adding a rental.

What a divisive trade. On one hand, it's easy to label Benning irresponsible - why sacrifice futures for the non-guarantee of making the playoffs with a banged-up roster? How shortsighted. On the other hand, one can easily dub Benning bold - why not seize the moment, do your best to make the postseason, and see what happens? The Pacific portion of the West's playoff bracket is totally up in the air, so there is logic to it. Toffoli, a play-driver who should fit nicely on Elias Pettersson's right wing, will definitely help Vancouver in the short term.

The Jets, meanwhile, have barely managed to keep their heads above water all season as they adjust to life without Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, and Jacob Trouba. Yet a playoff berth is not beyond the realm of possibility. Adding a player like DeMelo - a third-pairing blue-liner on a contending roster - won't move the needle, but the price (a third-round pick) is negligible. Acquired Tuesday, DeMelo's a low-risk rental for Winnipeg.

Then there are the Golden Knights. As the deals trickled in to start the week, we knew Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon would join the party sooner than later. The trade with L.A., assuming it goes through as reported - Martinez for two second-round picks - should provide a significant boost. Martinez, 27, is a legitimate top-four defenseman signed through next season at a reasonable $4-million cap hit. Vegas has underperformed this season. On paper, it's the toast of the Pacific. A jolt like this was necessary.

With Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Vegas setting the tone nice and early, who's next? Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona, and Nashville are the other teams on the playoff bubble. The Oilers appear hesitant to join the fray, the Flames have been a puzzle all year, and the Coyotes and Predators are both run by general managers who love to wheel and deal. Based on recent events, the smart money's on some reactionary trades, at the very least, and perhaps more from the tunnel-visioned Canucks.

Rangers, Devils should be salivating

Kings GM Rob Blake has established a nice benchmark for the NHL's sellers. He's fetched three second-round picks, a quality prospect, and a fourth-line forward for a pending unrestricted free agent (Toffoli) and a 2021 UFA (Martinez). If Toffoli re-signs with the Canucks, the Kings receive a fourth-rounder too.

Two Metro Division squads - the Rangers and Devils - must be licking their chops over Blake's haul. Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has at his disposal the league's most sought-after name in Chris Kreider, while Devils interim GM Tom Fitzgerald has the most coveted rental defenseman in Sami Vatanen.

Gorton and Kreider's camp could come to an agreement on a contract extension in the coming days, removing the speedster from the trade market. If an extension isn't hashed out, though, the Rangers should be able to snag a package along the lines of a first-rounder, second-rounder, and a prospect for Kreider. Win-win.

Vatanen, who's on injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment, should garner plenty of interest from teams that missed out on the first wave of available defensemen. If he's ultimately deemed healthy enough to contribute down the stretch, New Jersey can start a bidding war for Vatanen's services. In terms of rental rearguards, this week's rush has left slim pickings beyond the 28-year-old righty.

Keep an eye on Bruins, Avs

It'll be fascinating to watch Boston and Colorado, two of the NHL's top six point-percentage teams, battle it out off the ice in the lead-up to the deadline. Both clubs are serious Cup contenders looking for reinforcements up front.

The Bruins' search for a second-line winger has been public knowledge all year, while the Avalanche's need for similar help intensified when Mikko Rantanen sustained a multi-week upper-body injury in Monday's game against the Lightning.

Neither team got its mitts on Toffoli. Coleman, the best bargain buy around, has been crossed off both of their wish lists thanks to Sunday's Devils-Lightning deal. One would think Jean-Gabriel Pageau, a versatile, two-way forward, is now of great interest to Boston and Colorado, if he wasn't already. New Jersey's Kyle Palmieri, a marksman on a fair contract, would also be an excellent fit for both lineups. Montreal will certainly field calls on Ilya Kovalchuk. And don't sleep on the usefulness of Ottawa's Vladislav Namestnikov.

There are decent options left. Just not a ton. This year is already a little bit different.

John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.

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