The Sabres goaltender shoved Jets forward Bryan Little, drawing the ire of imposing Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. A scrum broke out in front of Lehner's crease immediately after the final horn sounded, with Byfuglien reaching over a dislodged net to land a punch on the goaltender.
It was the second melee of the day between the two clubs, the first of which erupted after Jake McCabe's clean but devastating hit on Patrik Laine, which knocked the Jets star out of the game.
It was a very costly loss for the Jets, who in addition to losing Laine blew a 3-1 lead in the third period and lost 4-3.
Things got heated in Buffalo on Saturday afternoon.
With the score tied 3-3 midway through the third period, the Sabres and Winnipeg Jets got into a line brawl after Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe caught Patrik Laine with a devastating open-ice hit.
Laine was helped off the ice by trainers, and was wobbly on his way to the dressing room, according to NHL.com's Joe Yerdon. He didn't return to the game, which Winnipeg lost 4-3, and head coach Paul Maurice offered no update on his star rookie's condition.
Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice on Patrik Laine: "No update. I don’t have a problem with the hit. They hit heads. It was a straight-on hit."
From well known EA titles like "NHLPA Hockey '93" and its more recent incarnations to lesser known titles like "Hit the Ice" and "NHL Stanley Cup," the video sets up the Sabres-Jets matchup and then incorporates Sabres history, including the likes of Pat LaFontaine, Dominik Hasek, and Maxim Afinogenov.
Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to dust off our old consoles.
There's only one NHL team with fewer points than the Colorado Avalanche. Only thing is, the Vegas Golden Knights aren't playing any games yet.
It's a lost season in Denver, and general manager Joe Sakic is looking towards the future.
That future includes Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Tyson Jost. They'll be part of Sakic's solution for his last-place team, whatever that solution may be.
It's no secret the Avalanche are looking to the trade market to help right the ship, and that's going to continue.
"The only thing I'm going to do is what helps this franchise down the line," Sakic said Friday, writes the Denver Post's Terry Frei. "We're not going to be looking to doing anything just for this year. ... We have to get younger.
"I don't plan on moving a guy like MacKinnon, Jost, (and/or) Rantanen," Sakic added. "We have a lot of good pieces here. Will I be listening to different ideas on how to improve us and maybe get us younger and get more depth here? Yeah, we're going to do that."
Player
Age
Drafted
2016-17 stats
Jost
18
10th overall in 2016
20 points in 18 GP (North Dakota)
MacKinnon
21
1st overall in 2013
27 P in 39 GP
Rantanen
20
10th overall in 2015
18 P in 34 GP
Jost had a goal and three assists in seven games for Canada at the world juniors, which wrapped up Thursday.
It's going to be an interesting couple of months in the Mile High City as the trade deadline approaches, and even an interesting couple of years as Sakic tries to get his team back on track.
While the former Avalanche captain and Hall of Famer hates to lose, he's happy with first-year head coach Jared Bednar, and has no plans to leave his post.
"No, no, no," Sakic said about rumors he may follow Patrick Roy out the door. "No one's having fun going through this. You can't. But from my chair, I'm also looking to the future and it's pretty bright. We'll have some options."
"You've got so many games in such a short period of time and you're jamming in more. To me, the more days' rest you can have by not playing back-to-backs and jamming it in, the healthier you have a chance to be I believe."
The Leafs will play a league-high 18 back-to-backs this season. That includes the three they play this month, beginning with this weekend's 48-hour trek that put them in New Jersey on Friday night and now at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman admitted last week that he's heard complaints from other clubs and players about how the new bye week condenses the rest of the schedule and takes a toll over the course of the season.
After this weekend's double dip, the Leafs won't play again until Friday, when they'll begin another back-to-back - this one exclusively on the road - against the New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators.
The news comes after the forward was forced from Friday's contest against the Nashville Predators with a suspected lower-body injury.
For the 24-year-old the injury is crushing, as Bjugstad was forced to miss the first 19 games of the season with a fractured hand. Since returning to the lineup the young American has struggled to rekindle his offensive touch.
After averaging over 18 goals and 38 points over the last three seasons, Bjugstad has amassed just one goal and one assist in 21 games.
The Edmonton Oilers prodigy has taken the NHL by storm since entering the league at 18. In only 85 games, McDavid's proven to be one of the most prolific passers in hockey, his 2.23 assists per 60 minutes ranking third since 2015-16. In 40 games this season, his 18 primary assists rank second only to Evgeni Malkin's 19.
No. 97 uses his deft hands, innate decision-making skills, perfect passing, and unparalleled vision to make his teammates better - and he's going to be doing it for a long time.
A prime example of said talents came Thursday night, when McDavid set up Patrick Maroon's game-opening goal in Boston.
Here's how Thursday's dazzling primary assist went down:
The play begins with Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom blocking a weak wrist shot from the point and leading the breakout, with two Bruins trapped behind him. Here come the Oilers:
Klefbom passes to his defense partner, Adam Larsson, with McDavid and Maroon turning up the wings:
Larsson sees McDavid on his runway, preparing for takeoff, and attempts to get the puck to No. 97 for what can become, at least, a two-on-two rush. Unfortunately, his pass isn't a good one, heading for McDavid's skates:
Don't worry about it, Adam - Connor's got you. In a split second, McDavid decides not to take the pass, knowing Leon Draisaitl is providing support up ahead, between the red and blue line. Instead, McDavid doesn't break stride, and lets the puck go through his legs, turning a bad Larsson-to-McDavid pass into an excellent Larsson-to-Draisaitl pass (it's a small play, a minor decision, the furthest from showing up in a box score, but one that serves as a perfect example of how McDavid makes those on the ice with him better):
Draisaitl, recognizing McDavid has taken off and is about to hit top gear, uses a smart, short one-timer pass to get the puck to No. 97 for the zone entry:
Draisaitl's pass means McDavid enters the Boston zone on what is now a two-on-three rush, with Maroon way over on the far wing, hardly in position to provide much help. Keep in mind, one of the three Bruins below - the one right in front of McDavid - is Zdeno Chara, who is the size of two normal humans and uses a stick as long as a small tree:
Now things get ridiculous. Again, McDavid's up against Chara, who has support from Patrice Bergeron - one of the best defensive players in hockey - and his defense partner Brandon Carlo. Everyone's forgotten about Maroon, because how can Maroon possibly get the puck? That is, everyone except McDavid, who, using his otherworldly stickhandling abilities, dangles around and embarrasses one of the game's most challenging one-on-one defenders:
It gets better. This is where we again marvel at McDavid's hockey instincts and raw talent. After using his forehand to dangle Chara and evade his absurd reach - McDavid, a left-handed shooter, draws the puck to his right on the deke, passing it to himself under Chara's stick - No. 97 uses his right skate to kick the puck back up to his stick, with three Bruins now in striking distance. In fact, there are four Bruins closer to McDavid than Maroon:
With the three-time Selke Trophy winner Bergeron now closer to McDavid than Chara, and Chara never truly ever far away, McDavid knows he's in the tightest of tight quarters. So, after kicking the puck back up to himself, he uses his backhand to get the disc toward the net, knowing a backhand saucer pass, just barely off the ice, is the only way he's going to avoid both Bruins - and especially Chara's stick. And, keep in mind, not once has McDavid shown any sign he's aware of Maroon's presence. And that means Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask isn't thinking about Maroon, either. But McDavid knows his winger's going to the net. Maroon's got one job:
Guess what? The pass is placed perfectly atop Rask's crease, ensuring the Bruins goalie can't reach out and deflect it away, and slides under the stick of the 6-foot-5 Carlo, who is rudely reminded of Maroon's existence. All Maroon (who actually has two jobs) has to do is put the puck - placed right on his stick - into a half-empty net. And he does.
Sixty-eight seconds into the game and the Oilers have a lead on the road:
Maroon's smile when he finds his center after the goal is a telling example of how much fun it is to play with McDavid:
Watch video of the incredible goal on the NHL's website, and notice on the tighter replay, beginning at the 0:35-second mark, that not once - not through the neutral zone, not at the blue line, and not while deking to avoid multiple Bruins - does McDavid acknowledge Maroon's presence on the left wing.
It's McDavid's ability to make brilliant split-second decisions at full throttle, stickhandle around some of the game's best in close quarters, and make passes to himself and his teammates without looking that sets him apart. You want to play with No. 97. Ask Maroon.
Not even 100 games into his career, this much is certain: There's only one Connor McDavid.
The Vegas Golden Knights have a lot of preparation to do in the coming months.
Behind closed doors the club is prepping for June's long-awaited expansion draft.
The team will have the ability to treat the league's player pool like their own personal grocery store, adding goods to their basket, with a price tag obviously in mind.
Of course, many moves are hard to predict before hand, but one name that should be a slam dunk to end up on the Golden Knights' roster is Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling.
Goaltending has been largely the most discussed position in terms of the draft, with the chances of so many high-end netminders being exposed as several clubs currently hold two capable starters.
It's intriguing, but whether in a backup role or not, Darling makes the most sense for the infant franchise.
Thanks to an injury to first-stringer Corey Crawford earlier in the season, Darling has seen a heavier work load and in turn is now on pace to play a career-high 37 games. Though to be fair, with a return of Crawford to the lineup, there's a good chance that number doesn't quite pan out.
Nonetheless, while playing in roughly half the Blackhawks' games this season, Daring has marveled. The 28-year-old has gone 11-4-2 in 17 games while posting a .925 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average.
He's been as strong of a backup as one could ask for.
Where it gets interesting - more so for the Golden Knights - is Darling's startling value. The Blackhawks' second-in-command has posted a 32-16-6 record over parts of three seasons in the league while never making more than $590,000 in a season.
Talk about a bargain.
Come June 21, when the NHL will hold its expansion draft, Darling will be exposed one way or another. Darling is in the final year of his contract and whether the Blackhawks re-sign him or not, the team will undoubtedly protect Crawford who holds a modified no-trade and no-movement clause in his contract.
That gives the Knights many options. They can negotiate a contract with Darling if he remains an unrestricted free agent, or, they can take him and whatever contract the Blackhawks give him - which they could be forced to do.
As per the expansion rules, each team must expose a goaltender who is either signed through the 2017-18 season or who is a restricted free agent and has been offered a qualifying offer. Given that Darling will become a UFA, he would either need to be signed or once again general manager Stan Bowman would have to do some wheeling and dealing to meet this requirement.
Despite his great numbers, it's unlikely Darling will command a steep contract from either the Blackhawks or the Golden Knights. How he would be used by the Knights if plucked, that's another question.
However, what is certain is that Darling holds fantastic value. And whether he steps into a more important role or continues to act as one of the league's premiere backups remains to be seen.
But the fact still holds true: He's a piece that Vegas should be all over when roster construction finally kicks off.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for xxx (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET: Carey Price (86K), Canadiens (at Maple Leafs): Since the beginning of December, Price owns a pedestrian .903 save percentage in 12 games, amassing a 6-3-3 record. The good news is he stopped 22 of 23 shots in a win against the Predators in his last game. At his salary, Price can be trusted.
BARGAIN: Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Senators): Holtby should never cost the minimum. He ended the Blue Jackets epic winning streak with a shutout on Thursday and the Senators are a mid-range scoring team, at best, averaging 2.35 expected goals for per 60 minutes.
FADE: Antoine Bibeau (108K), Maple Leafs (vs. Canadiens): It's all in the salary, which is bonkers. Bibeau has played well, but he's only played two games. His .927 save percentage is perfectly fine, but the sample size is too small even against a Canadiens team that is damaged and likely going to struggle to score.
CONTRARIAN: Jake Allen (93K), Blues (vs. Stars): Allen left the team to join the birth of his child, which could keep him from starting. It will cause him to be ignored in most rosters, so if he gets cleared to play he will make for a great tournament play despite his shaky play this season.
Bargain Plays
C Frank Vatrano (30K), Bruins (at Panthers): In seven games at the NHL level, Vatrano has a respectable four points and is usually good for a couple hits to push his floor up a bit. He's also seen his playing time tick upward, playing close to 16 minutes in each of his last two games. With opportunity comes reward.
LW Matthew Tkachuk (27K), Flames (vs. Canucks): Tkachuk's low salary is something of a mystery. He is riding an eight-game point streak, mostly assists, and the Canucks are expected to start backup G Jacob Markstrom. Vancouver won round one Friday, expect Tkachuk to deliver in the rematch.
RW Cal Clutterbuck (26K), Islanders (at Coyotes): Good thing Squad Up tallies hits, because that's Clutterbuck's bread and butter. His ice time is often limited due to a lack of overall scoring ability, but he's tallied six hits three times in his last 10 games. If he bounces one into the net, he'll be a massive bargain.
Top Fades
D Shayne Gostisbehere (46K), Flyers (vs. Lightning): Either pay for the big names or go cheap in lieu of Gostisbehere. His salary reflects his surprise success from 2015-16. And though he has three assists in his last four games, he's been a nightly bust more often than not. He's better suited to season-long leagues.
LW Daniel Sedin (54K), Canucks (at Flames): While both teams are on even footing playing the second half of a home-and-home, Sedin is difficult to trust. He has barely factored into the Canucks' six-game win streak and only has one point in his last eight.
C John Tavares (69K), Islanders (at Coyotes): Tavares doesn't travel well, and while random chance plays a part, his numbers are noticeably worse away from Brooklyn. At his salary, even against the Coyotes, Tavares should be avoided in all formats on Saturday.
Contrarian Options
C Anze Kopitar (67K), Kings (vs. Wild): Kopitar has only two points in 11 games, and he hasn't scored a goal since December 13. He's been fairly unlucky, failing to convert any of his 26 shots on goal in those 11 games. His 4.1 shooting percentage is incomprehensible, and a change could come against Darcy Kuemper, the visiting backup getting a spot start in net.
LW Alex Steen (53K), Blues (vs. Stars): Steen is a general disappointment in the goal scoring department, but he still has 21 points in 33 games. The Stars are fourth worst in expected goals against per 60 minutes, so Steen is in a great position to overcome his struggles. He has three points in the two games since the dawn of a new year.
RW Wayne Simmonds (60K), Flyers (vs. Lightning): Wading through a bit of a cold spell, Simmonds does so much on the ice that he's a must even when he's not scoring. Simmonds might be the most balanced fantasy option because he scores, gets helpers, hits everything that moves and takes a ton of shots. Don't let the drought get you down.
There's still a very long way to go, but for the time being, six of Canada's seven NHL teams are in playoff position.
Granted, the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames are the only ones with records above .500 when you consider shootout and overtime losses as true defeats, but it's still a vast improvement over last season, when none of the nation's squads qualified for the playoffs.
It's been a roller-coaster season so far for the Flames, who withstood the early-season struggles of supposed goaltending savior Brian Elliott and the loss of Johnny Gaudreau to a broken finger earlier in the campaign.
The Senators, meanwhile, have performed reasonably well without starting netminder Craig Anderson, who's been away from the club for about a month while attending to his wife, Nicholle, who was diagnosed with cancer in late October.
Even the Winnipeg Jets, Canada's seventh franchise, are within striking distance of a playoff berth, sitting two points behind the Canucks for the second and final wild-card spot in the Western Conference - albeit with two other teams to leapfrog and two more games played than both of them.
Whether or not the standings hold the way they're currently constructed, it's a positive sign for Canadian franchises, and it's clear that optimism has returned north of the border.
