The Buffalo Sabres are cursed, or at least that's how goaltender Robin Lehner sees it.

The team was up 2-1 against the New York Islanders late in the third period on Wednesday, but after Josh Bailey scored a controversial goal with just over a minute remaining in regulation, the team fell 3-2 in overtime.

Bailey's game-tying goal came after it seemed as though Lehner made an incredible glove stop. However, further review proved Lehner's catching glove was behind the goal line, and with the puck visible, it was deemed a good goal.

"I know Toronto already made up their mind it was a goal before they shot the puck," Lehner said, according to BuffaloNews.com's John Vogl. "It's just how it works in this league.

"We're one minute away from winning 2-1, and we lose 3-2."

"Everything is predetermined against us," Lehner said. "It's not to be sulking or anything. We're not where we want to be or anything like that. It's just how it is. It's just how it is. The Islanders are in a playoff spot, and it is what it is."

It doesn't help that the Sabres have been abysmal in games that have extended past regulation, having gone 1-8 in contests requiring overtime or a shootout.

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With an assist on Kyle Connor's second-period goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night, Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler moved into first place on the franchise's all-time assists list.

Wheeler picked up his 288th assist with the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise to move one past Ilya Kovalchuk for top spot.

The 31-year-old also currently ranks third on the franchise's all-time goals and points lists, with Kovalchuk leading both categories and teammate Bryan Little slotted second.

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Two games, two wins.

Team Canada scored its second victory in as many nights at the World Junior Hockey Championship on Wednesday, defeating Slovakia 6-0.

Canada got off to an early start, as forward Sam Steel found the back of the net less than four minutes in.

The team carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission before adding more offense in the second frame from Jordan Kyrou, Jonah Gadjovich, and Taylor Raddysh.

The Canadians tallied twice more in the third period, getting one goal from Maxime Comtois and another from Gadjovich, who was named Player of the Game for Canada. Captain Martin Bodak received the honor for Slovakia.

Goaltender Colton Point earned the shutout in his first game of the tournament, stopping 20 shots.

Canada's next game comes Friday against the United States, while Slovakia will play the Americans on Thursday.

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Arizona Coyotes pest Zac Rinaldo was handed a six-game suspension Wednesday evening for sucker-punching Samuel Girard of the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday.

Related - Watch: Coyotes Rinaldo gets match penalty for punching Avs' Girard

The intent to injure was clear on Rinaldo's part, and he has been suspended multiple times in the past.

With that said, do you think six games is a just punishment?

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Arizona Coyotes forward Zac Rinaldo was suspended six games for an unsuspecting punch to Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard on Wednesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.

The punch came on Saturday night, when after delivering a hit to Nathan MacKinnon, Rinaldo jumped Girard, resulting in a line brawl.

This marks the fifth time Rinaldo has faced supplemental discipline from the league. He's now been suspended for 25 games, served two fines, and forfeited a total of $173,955 in salary, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

Rinaldo will be eligible to return to the Coyotes' lineup on Jan. 13 against the San Jose Sharks.

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Canadian defenseman Kale Clague is expected to miss his team's game against Slovakia on Wednesday, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Clague reportedly blocked a shot with his right foot in the team's 4-2 victory over Finland. Luckily X-rays came back negative.

With Clague sidelined, Cale Makar is expected to move to the left side on a contingent with Dante Fabbro. Victor Mete and Conor Timmins will make up the second pairing, while Jake Bean and Cal Foote will occupy the third, according to McKenzie.

Canada will look to become the first team to two wins early into the tournament.

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The Anaheim Ducks will welcome shutdown pivot Ryan Kesler to the lineup Wednesday night for his season debut versus the Vegas Golden Knights, the team announced.

Kesler underwent surgery in June to remove bone fragments in his hip. He joins a Ducks lineup that's been ravaged by injuries, but has recently started to take shape with key players returning to the ice.

Last season, Kesler suited up in all 82 games, registering 58 points while winning 57.4 percent of his faceoffs, earning him consideration for the Selke Trophy.

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The Colorado Avalanche will be without defenseman Tyson Barrie for four-to-six weeks, head coach Jared Bednar revealed Wednesday, per Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.

Barrie suffered a fractured hand after blocking an Oliver Ekman-Larsson shot in the first period of a game on Dec. 23.

His absence will be a big blow to a team flirting with playoff contention. Through 34 games, Barrie recorded four goals and 27 assists, good for third in points among all Avalanche.

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Canada got off to a strong start in its quest for world junior supremacy Tuesday afternoon, coming away with a 4-2 win over Finland.

In light of the victory, here are three takeaways from Canada's performance:

A good test

Given the usual cupcake nature of the preliminary opener for Canada, a tournament entrance against Finland - a country many consider to be in the running for a gold medal as well - offered a considerable early test.

A year removed from firing the entire coaching staff, one would believe Finland to be as hungry as ever to return to the gold medal game - a contest they won in 2016 - however, Canada had other plans.

With seven returnees from last year's silver medal outfit, Canada's experience was evident, and there were few indications of nerves playing a factor once the puck dropped.

Slotted in Group A with Finland, as well as the USA, banking points will be especially important for seeding in the medal round, and capturing three off the bat is a solid start.

Sum of its parts

(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

In terms of marquee, can't-miss star power, Canada is lacking, but its depth and speed throughout the lineup proved effective against a stout Finnish defensive corps, which features four first-round draft picks.

Canada got at least one point from seven different forwards, while blue-liner Victor Mete contributed two himself.

Head coach Dominique Ducharme wanted to build a complete roster capable of moving the puck quickly, and one game in, Canada looks like a cohesive unit capable of executing the game plan.

Penalty trouble

When looking for a flaw in Canada's performance, one stands out rather clearly: lack of discipline.

Canada took six penalties, including three in the first period. While five of six power plays were killed successfully, it's a trend that will have to come to an abrupt halt if Canada intends on playing for gold.

Now, needing time to adjust to international rules may have been the cause of the influx of infractions, but Canada will have to adapt quickly. Handing out free opportunities in this tournament is a recipe for disaster.

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