Curtis McElhinney is in goal for Carolina Hurricanes for Game 3 versus the Boston Bruins, replacing Petr Mrazek as the home team's starting netminder for the pivotal contest.

Mrazek was the Hurricanes' starter down the regular-season stretch and during the first round of the playoffs. But he suffered an injury versus the New York Islanders in Round 2 and has struggled since returning, allowing 10 goals through two games against the Bruins.

McElhinney's appeared in one game in relief of Mrazek and started two others so far this postseason, posting a .947 save percentage over those outings.

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Despite leading the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs in both goals and points, San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture isn't letting his gaudy production distract him from the ultimate prize.

"You're playing for the Stanley Cup here," Couture told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "We've never won it, I've never won it and it's something I want to do for this team and this city. I'm definitely proud of being able to contribute and help this team win. But until we win the Stanley Cup, I won't be satisfied."

Couture's registered 13 goals and 19 points so far this postseason, pacing his peers by four in each category. His latest stellar performance came in Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues, when he notched two goals in just under two minutes to tie the game.

Despite his efforts, the Sharks eventually lost the contest and now head to St. Louis tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Final. It's that fact, not his personal performance, that stands out for Couture.

"In my opinion, that wasn't anywhere near what we're capable of, and I don't think we've played up to our capabilities for a while now," Couture told NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika. "We did just enough to beat the Avalanche, but we haven't played our best hockey since that Vegas series.

"And it's discouraging, it's frustrating because we're going to need everyone here if we're going to beat these guys because they're a very good hockey team."

The Sharks return to action Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan to a six-year extension through the 2024-25 season, the team announced Tuesday.

"On behalf of the MLSE Board of Directors, and certainly our company and fans as well, we are very pleased to see Brendan continue in his role as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs," said Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Leafs ownership group MLSE. "Brendan's positive impact on this team has not only been felt on the ice, where the team is on an impressive path, but throughout the league, with the Leafs' alumni, and in the community.

"We look forward to continued success for the Maple Leafs under Brendan's leadership over the next six years."

The former head of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs in April 2014 and has overseen massive organizational changes since taking over.

Under Shanahan, the Leafs brought in Mike Babcock as head coach and Lou Lamoriello - since replaced by Kyle Dubas - as general manager. With Shanahan at the helm, the team also drafted several members of its young core including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, and made a franchise-altering free-agent splash with the signing of John Tavares last July.

Shanahan's arrival has paid major dividends for Toronto, as the team has transformed from a perennial cellar dweller into a legitimate Stanley Cup threat. The Leafs have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last three campaigns and have now recorded back-to-back 100-point regular seasons for the first time in franchise history.

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Dale Hunter has been selected as Canada's head coach for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday.

Hunter has spent 18 seasons as owner, president, and head coach of the OHL's London Knights, leading the team to five Memorial Cup appearances, including titles in 2005 and 2016. He captured OHL coach of the year honors in 2004, 2005, and 2010, and was named CHL coach of the year in 2004.

The 58-year-old has only coached on the international stage once, winning a gold medal as head coach of Canada’s under-18 team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

Ottawa 67's head coach Andre Tourigny and Saskatoon Blades head coach Mitch Love will join Hunter as assistant coaches.

Canada finished sixth at the world juniors in 2019, the team's second sixth-place finish in four years. With just two gold medals at the event this decade, Canada is looking to get back on top of the national junior stage.

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Staring down a 2-0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes have opted to keep their starting netminder a secret for Game 3.

Although head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed Tuesday a decision had been made, he wasn't willing to share the information.

"I can't be that guy that does that, right? I know who we're starting, but I guess you'll have to wait and see. Sorry," Brind'Amour said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

The goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney have been at the core of the Hurricanes' success all year, and with Mrazek allowing 10 goals on 52 shots through the opening two games of the series, it's possible McElhinney gets a shot between the pipes.

McElhinney made 17 saves after replacing Mrazek in Game 2 against the New York Islanders to capture the victory. The 35-year-old followed up the strong relief performance by allowing just four goals on 58 combined shots through Game 3 and 4, helping the Hurricanes complete the four-game sweep.

"We're 100 percent on board with anybody that goes in the hockey nets," Hurricanes forward and captain Justin Williams said Monday. "I have zero qualms about anybody going in. Whoever is going to go in is going to do a great job and we're going to have a great game."

The Hurricanes faced a 2-0 series deficit in their opening-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. The team ultimately stuck with Mrazek and were able to complete the comeback and take the series in seven games.

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Mark Stone ripped a power-play goal with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to help Canada escape with a 6-5 win over the host Slovakia in their round-robin clash at the World Championship on Monday.

The late game-winner made quite a birthday present for Stone, as the Vegas Golden Knights forward turned 27 on Monday.

Special teams proved to be the difference in a highly competitive contest; Canada finished 3-for-4 on the power play while Slovakia failed to score on five attempts with the man advantage.

Anthony Mantha, Shea Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, Anthony Cirelli, and Troy Stecher all scored for Canada, which came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to hold a one-goal lead after two periods.

With the raucous home crowd behind it, Slovakia controlled play for long stretches in the third frame before finally notching the equalizer off the stick of Matus Sukel. But Erik Cernak took a penalty seven minutes later, setting up Stone's dramatic winner.

Canada played much of the contest with only five defensemen. Dante Fabbro suffered a cut near his mouth in the first period and didn't return, and Brandon Montour also departed with an undisclosed injury.

With two wins and one loss, Canada sits tied for second in Group A with 6 points. Slovakia is fifth with three points after playing international juggernauts Finland, the U.S., and Canada.

Slovakia will face Germany on Wednesday while Canada has two days off before playing France on Thursday.

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Mark Stone ripped a power-play goal with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to help Canada escape with a 6-5 win over the host Slovakia in their round-robin clash at the World Championship on Monday.

The late game-winner made quite a birthday present for Stone, as the Vegas Golden Knights forward turned 27 on Monday.

Special teams proved to be the difference in a highly competitive contest; Canada finished 3-for-4 on the power play while Slovakia failed to score on five attempts with the man advantage.

Anthony Mantha, Shea Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, Anthony Cirelli, and Troy Stecher all scored for Canada, which came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to hold a one-goal lead after two periods.

With the raucous home crowd behind it, Slovakia controlled play for long stretches in the third frame before finally notching the equalizer off the stick of Matus Sukel. But Erik Cernak took a penalty seven minutes later, setting up Stone's dramatic winner.

Canada played much of the contest with only five defensemen. Dante Fabbro suffered a cut near his mouth in the first period and didn't return, and Brandon Montour also departed with an undisclosed injury.

With two wins and one loss, Canada sits tied for second in Group A with 6 points. Slovakia is fifth with three points after playing international juggernauts Finland, the U.S., and Canada.

Slovakia will face Germany on Wednesday while Canada has two days off before playing France on Thursday.

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Ryan Kesler might not play in 2019-20, but his career may not be over.

The Anaheim Ducks center underwent hip resurfacing surgery on Thursday, a procedure that makes continuing his career possible following a lengthy recovery, the club announced on Monday.

"While it's unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said.

In April, Kesler's career appeared in jeopardy when he was mulling hip-replacement surgery.

The 34-year-old missed Anaheim's final 14 games of this season and was limited to 60 contests in 2018-19.

He's battled through hip issues for years, missing 60 games over the last two campaigns.

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