This is not how Italy wanted to end its stay at the World Hockey Championship.
Alexander Egger scored one of the most embarrassing own goals you'll ever see Monday, tripping immediately after taking a pass in front of his own empty net and sending the puck trickling into the cage.
Denmark held on for a 2-0 victory over Italy, which ended its tournament in last place in Group A with a record of 0-0-1-6.
In 13 games played so far, the underappreciated Anaheim Ducks winger is yet again producing when it matters most, racking up nine goals and four assists. His nine tallies ties him for the playoff lead with Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel.
With the Cup only seven victories away, Anaheim will obviously take all it can get from the Swedish national. But the more Silfverberg produces, the more unlikely it becomes that he will be unprotected when the expansion draft kicks off in mid-June.
Anaheim, just like every other NHL franchise, has two options for protecting its players for the upcoming expansion draft:
Option one; protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. Or, option two; protect eight skaters total (both forwards and D-men) and one goalie.
Either way you slice it, Silfverberg is making Anaheim's protection selection that much more complex. But how can you let a player like that walk away, especially when he does some of his best work in the spring?
Playoff Season
Games
Goals
Assists
'13-14
13
2
0
'14-15
16
4
14
'15-16
7
0
5
'16-17
13
9
4
Silfverberg was acquired in 2013 from the Ottawa Senators along with Stefan Noesen and a first-round pick in exchange for Bobby Ryan. At the time, the Ducks were roasted in NHL circles for giving up a bona fide 30-goal scorer in Ryan for two relative unknowns and a pick.
The Senators have recently begun reaping the benefits of Ryan's impact. The Ducks, on the other hand, have been benefiting from Silfverberg's since the 2015 playoffs when he was arguably the Ducks' best player - this postseason has been much of the same.
Jakob Silfverberg now is 4th on the #Ducks' all-time playoff goals list, but also has 9 in this playoff year to tie for the 2nd on this list pic.twitter.com/C1etXxg4uC
However, Silfverberg can get it done in the regular season, as well. During the 2016-17 campaign, he put up career highs in both goals (23) and assists (26) while impressing with his wicked-fast release and nose for the net.
So who do the Ducks protect and who gets to spend their foreseeable future on the strip in Sin City? That's the million-dollar question that will be answered June 17.
Hypothetically, if general manager Bob Murray could convince veteran blue-liner Kevin Bieksa to waive his no-movement clause, the Ducks would have another slot to protect a player like Silfverberg or Rickard Rakell with no issue.
The situation is an interesting one for Anaheim, but it simply cannot let a player like Silvferberg walk away. He continues to prove that he was worth the price to acquire him and then some - he has earned a protection slot.
You just can't teach clutch and Silfverberg has been exactly that.
In 13 games played so far, the underappreciated Anaheim Ducks winger is yet again producing when it matters most, racking up nine goals and four assists. His nine tallies ties him for the playoff lead with Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel.
With the Cup only seven victories away, Anaheim will obviously take all it can get from the Swedish national. But the more Silfverberg produces, the more unlikely it becomes that he will be unprotected when the expansion draft kicks off in mid-June.
Anaheim, just like every other NHL franchise, has two options for protecting its players for the upcoming expansion draft:
Option one; protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. Or, option two; protect eight skaters total (both forwards and D-men) and one goalie.
Either way you slice it, Silfverberg is making Anaheim's protection selection that much more complex. But how can you let a player like that walk away, especially when he does some of his best work in the spring?
Playoff Season
Games
Goals
Assists
'13-14
13
2
0
'14-15
16
4
14
'15-16
7
0
5
'16-17
13
9
4
Silfverberg was acquired in 2013 from the Ottawa Senators along with Stefan Noesen and a first-round pick in exchange for Bobby Ryan. At the time, the Ducks were roasted in NHL circles for giving up a bona fide 30-goal scorer in Ryan for two relative unknowns and a pick.
The Senators have recently begun reaping the benefits of Ryan's impact. The Ducks, on the other hand, have been benefiting from Silfverberg's since the 2015 playoffs when he was arguably the Ducks' best player - this postseason has been much of the same.
Jakob Silfverberg now is 4th on the #Ducks' all-time playoff goals list, but also has 9 in this playoff year to tie for the 2nd on this list pic.twitter.com/C1etXxg4uC
However, Silfverberg can get it done in the regular season, as well. During the 2016-17 campaign, he put up career highs in both goals (23) and assists (26) while impressing with his wicked-fast release and nose for the net.
So who do the Ducks protect and who gets to spend their foreseeable future on the strip in Sin City? That's the million-dollar question that will be answered June 17.
Hypothetically, if general manager Bob Murray could convince veteran blue-liner Kevin Bieksa to waive his no-movement clause, the Ducks would have another slot to protect a player like Silfverberg or Rickard Rakell with no issue.
The situation is an interesting one for Anaheim, but it simply cannot let a player like Silvferberg walk away. He continues to prove that he was worth the price to acquire him and then some - he has earned a protection slot.
You just can't teach clutch and Silfverberg has been exactly that.
— Brendan Shanahan (@brendanshanahan) May 15, 2017
Maslakow revealed his plan to quit last month, while sharing the fact that Nicorette agreed to donate $5,000 to the charity of his choice.
He became a hero within the Leafs' fan base after appearing on camera during Game 2 of the club's playoff series against the Washington Capitals, receiving an invite to Game 3 in Toronto, and making a plethora of media appearances since.
The Florida Panthers reportedly plan to sit down with Washington Capitals assistant coach Todd Reirden to discuss their vacant head coaching position.
Reirden has an interview forthcoming with the Panthers, and is also a potential candidate for the same position with the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
Reirden was a finalist for the Calgary Flames' job that ultimately went to Glen Gulutzan last June.
He's been a Capitals assistant since being hired in June 25, 2014 - the same day he was fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins following a four-season stint.
The Eastern Conference Final certainly isn't decided after one game, but the Pittsburgh Penguins have some work to do to avoid dropping the first two contests on home ice.
Ottawa frustrated Pittsburgh in Game 1 on Saturday night, grinding out a 2-1 victory in overtime and throwing the Penguins off their game in several ways.
Here are a few things Pittsburgh needs to do to turn the tide in Game 2:
Stop getting outshot
Ottawa fired seven more shots on net than Pittsburgh in the opening game, and while that's nothing new for the Penguins of late, it's a trend that needs to be addressed going forward.
Pittsburgh has been outshot in 10 consecutive games, including all seven against the Washington Capitals and the final two contests in their first-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Penguins have proven they're capable of winning in the playoffs without holding the edge in shots on goal, but it should be a focal point now that they're up against a Senators club that plays a trapping style that limits scoring opportunities.
Score on the power play
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
It'll be easier said than done against the Senators' dramatically improved penalty kill, but the Penguins have to produce on the man advantage.
Pittsburgh has the best power-play success rate in the playoffs among the four remaining clubs and had the third-best mark in the regular season, but failed to score on all five of their opportunities in Game 1.
Four of those failed power-play chances came in the first period (with the fourth carrying over into the second), including a two-man advantage for 45 seconds.
"We (had) an opportunity there to grab a lead," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said postgame, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I just think we didn't execute. The movement wasn't there. The passes weren't crisp."
Surely, that will be an area of focus in Game 2.
Don't forget what they do best
The Senators have been using a 1-3-1 formation that clogs the neutral zone, evoking memories of the New Jersey Devils' vaunted but controversial neutral-zone trap of the 1990s and 2000s.
Say what you want about Ottawa's strategy, but it's working, and the Penguins obviously have to figure out a way to counter it.
Pittsburgh practiced cluttering up the neutral zone Saturday (here's the video evidence, via the Tribune-Review's Bill West), but this is not the solution.
The Penguins shouldn't change their game to mirror their opponent. Stick with what's worked all season and in the previous playoff rounds - speed, skill, and goaltending.
Pittsburgh has the first two in spades, and one difficult game shouldn't be the impetus for an ill-advised departure from their bread and butter.
With the offseason underway for a number of teams, with the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.
2016-17 Grade: D
The Florida Panthers finished first in the Atlantic Division in 2015-16 with 103 points, but wound up sixth this season with just 81 points. The only reason a decline like this didn't receive an F grade was because arguably their three best players - D Aaron Ekblad, C Aleksander Barkov, and LW Jonathan Huberdeau - missed large chunks of the season due to injury.
Free Agents
Luckily, the Panthers don't have many key players needing contracts come July 1:
They could opt to re-sign veteran forwards Jagr and Vanek, but both are disposable. Pysyk and Petrovic are their fifth and sixth D-men, so both are replaceable if they can't be retained.
2017 Draft Picks
The Panthers have five picks in the coming draft.
Round
Picks
1
1 (10th overall)
2
1
3
1 (from Coyotes)
4
0
5
1
6
1 (from Ducks)
7
0
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Summer Priorities
The Panthers must do the following this summer:
1.Hire a coach: The Panthers have yet to hire a head coach to replace Tom Rowe. Considering the club already has a good, young core in place, finding a suitable coach needs to be priority No. 1.
There are still plenty of household names available: Darryl Sutter, Michel Therrien, Bob Hartley, Dan Bylsma, Marc Crawford, and Paul MacLean. It would behoove the Panthers to hire someone with experience and pedigree, given that they have a young team that is ready to compete right now.
2. Acquire a top-six forward: Here is how Florida's top-six forward group is projected to look if they don't re-sign Jagr or Vanek:
Jokinen is 34 years old and really struggled this past season. He is under contract for one more season at $4 million. He can still be a useful player in the bottom six, capable of jumping back up into the top six when injuries strike. But it would be wise to add another legitimate top-six forward, or even two if possible.
This will be tough to do though, considering Aaron Ekblad's $7.5-million cap hit kicks in next season, so general manager Dale Tallon will have to get creative with his few remaining dollars. Acquiring a veteran that the market could overlook simply due to age - such as Radim Vrbata or Justin Williams - wouldn't be a bad idea. Bringing Jagr or Vanek back shouldn't be ruled out, either.
3. Acquire depth at all positions: The Panthers surprisingly don't have many holes for a team coming off a poor season. If either Roberto Luongo or James Reimer departs in the expansion draft, they will need to look for a backup goaltender.
Otherwise, they should simply look to acquire depth at all positions, so they can stay afloat if injuries strike once again. They are up against the cap, so signing big-name free agents is essentially out of the question.
2017-18 Outlook
The Panthers will succeed in 2017-18 as long as they stay healthy. Barkov, Trocheck, and Nick Bjugstad represent great depth down the middle. They have a stout top-four D, and - if Luongo and Reimer are both back - a solid goaltending tandem. Adding some offensive punch would solidify them as an Atlantic Division contender.
